Chapter 1: Ever Heard Of Knocking?
Chapter Text
Hermione was sitting on the plush armchair in her room when she decided, finally, that she needed to break up with Ron. She had been mulling over this for days, re-evaluating the details of their relationship. What they had, had been so good at first, something Hermione had only ever dreamed of. But it had been her first time in a serious relationship, and over the years they’d been together, they’d both changed so much.
The war was over and she was healing now - and realising her romance with Ron was not what it was before. He was sweet - and kind but she found their conversations to be awkward and stilted. As for intimacy - the sex was sweet. But she found herself wanting to be alone at night, rather than sleeping with him. Which she wasn’t sure was a good sign. She hadn’t minded Ron’s lack of adventure in the bedroom at first, but it was one thing amongst many that she felt was lacking.
She didn’t know how to tell him all this - she didn’t want to ruin something good. But was it good? Or was it just easier to stay with him then disrupt the flow of things? She think she knew the answer to that.
She envisioned him then, sitting opposite her. How would she even bring it up? She leaned forward, clearing her throat. The least she could do was practice this.
“Hi! Ron. So I was thinking. We- uh.” She couldn’t even say the words out loud, and he wasn’t even here. How was she going to do this in real life? She tried again.
“Hey, Ron can we talk?” No way, that sounded too daunting. She cleared her throat again and spoke loudly and with as much confidence as she could muster. “Ron, I think I want to speak about something very important. You know that I have always treasured your-”
The door slammed open. Hermione nearly jumped out of her seat. She’d been so deep in thought and rehearsing how to break up with Ron she hadn’t heard the footsteps of... Draco Malfoy?
“Malfoy,” she said, breathless. “Ever heard of knocking?”
He smirked, “No.”
After the war, many things had changed. Namely, her relationship with Malfoy had gone from bitter to an easy alliance. They helped each other out whenever needed, and generally got along. It was hard to still hate him when he’d clearly changed, and it was easier to be friends than pretend to be angry towards him.
“Am I interrupting something?” He folded his arms over his chest, leaning lazily against the doorframe, his eyes trained on her.
Hermione blushed, knowing he had heard her.
She tried not to think about how tall and handsome he looked then, leaning against her door, with that look on his face. The kind of look that made her question whether she wanted to punch him, or kiss him. And that was another thing that had changed after the war. She had started to find Draco Malfoy, her previous arch-nemesis, handsome. Nowadays, she found herself staring at his chiselled face, his wonderful eyes, and those beautiful big hands of his. Draco Malfoy was a man now - and it was very, very hard not to notice.
Trying to hide the pink in her cheeks, she spoke. “Sorry, I was just uh-” Merlin, this was the first time she was going to mention it to someone out loud. “Practicing how I’m going to break up with Ron.” She hoped he didn’t hear the tremor in her voice - she would not appear weak in the presence of Malfoy.
She could’ve sworn something dark flashed in Draco’s eyes as soon as the words left her mouth, but in a moment it was gone and replaced by his usual firm stare.
“Oh,” he said.
There was a pause.
“Granger,” he said, finally, his voice full of concern. He crossed the room in two quick strides. His eyebrows furrowed as he sat next to her on the bed, leaving only a little space between them.
Hermione hoped he didn’t hear her sharp intake of breath at his sudden closeness.
“But you’ve been dating for a long time now. What happened? Did he hurt you?”
Hermione gave a weak laugh, not meeting his eyes. “No, he didn't do anything wrong. I just don’t feel there’s anything romantic between us, that’s all.” She shrugged, to show that this didn’t affect her, but the truth was, that it did.
“He’s a good guy, Granger. Are you sure about this?”
Hermione’s cheeks heated, suddenly annoyed. She’d been thinking about this for a long time - and surely he knew she wasn’t one to make rash decisions.
“I wouldn’t be breaking up with him if I wasn’t sure, Malfoy. Believe it or not, I know what I’m doing. There’s just...so many things lacking in our relationship?”
Malfoy raised his eyebrows. “Could you give any examples?”
“Like…” Hermione waved her hands out in the air. “Like loads of things. Like he’s sweet but he doesn’t really try and invest time in our relationship but, well, neither do I. Like we’ haven’t been on a date in god knows how long. Like how he spends more time with Harry than me. I mean I’m not saying he’s not allowed to have friendships but as his girlfriend, I think I deserve well...a little more attention. And like, the sex is so utterly boring I think I might lose my mind.”
Hermione paused. Inwardly, she was reeling over the fact that she had casually mentioned her sex life with Ron to of all people, Draco Fucking Malfoy. But she wasn’t going to let him know she was flustered by that. She looked to Draco, a determined expression on her face, curious to see his expression. She wasn’t going to show that she was embarrassed about talking about sex - she was Hermione Granger for god’s sake.
He didn’t look back at her, instead, staring at a spot in front of them, in the distance. She realised the weird intimacy of the moment - them sitting together on her bed in her room talking about her breakup. She felt so vulnerable at that moment, and her terror increased when Malfoy still didn’t say anything. Her resolve faded and she quickly looked away. Her face was red, and she bit her lip.
“Uh god- Uhm. I’m so sorry, I did not mean to- God, I’m so sorry. You don’t want to hear all this.”
Draco seemed to snap out of whatever reverie he’d been having and chuckled. Hermione’s heart did a funny thing at the sound - but she ignored it, desperate to hear what he would say.
“Granger, I didn’t mean to insinuate you don't know what you’re doing with Ron. You’re the smartest witch I know. And I genuinely support your decision if this is going to make you happiest. And I- well, I appreciate that you trust me enough to tell me all this. Considering you know, how we were before.”
Hermione didn’t like to think about Draco before The War - but it didn’t mean she didn’t think about it. She knew things were still a little delicate between them because of that - but she truly thought he had changed - and had decided not to hold his past against him.
Hermione turned to face him, smiling at the words that had left him. "Well,” she said teasingly “I’m not sure I entirely trust you. Not just yet.”
He flashed a grin at her. “And why's that, Granger?”
"Well," she exclaimed brazenly, "I never trust a handsome face."
Draco's eyes darted towards her lips. "Is that so?" he said. Hermione was glad he couldn't hear her heartbeat right now - she was terrible at flirting - she always ended up sounding too un-natural and stupid. But Malfoy hadn't laughed or made fun of her. Perhaps he hadn't even caught on that she was flirting. Maybe she was that bad. Hermione didn't know what to say to that - so she let Malfoy lead the conversation.
He glanced up at her. “You sure you’re okay about this though?”
Hermione met his gaze, a solemn look in his eyes. She'd wanted to lighten the tone of the conversation but he was clearly not interested in anything romantic with her. She felt foolish. “Yeah, I’m sure. I’m not sad about the breakup, Malfoy. I’m sad about how I haven’t been treated right. It all just faded away into nothingness this past year. And I know I deserve better than that.”
He looked down, and in a serious voice, muttered, “You do deserve better, Granger.” Her heart stuttered. Almost as if he was in a hurry, he checked his watch and began to rise up from the bed. “Sorry," he said, his eyes slightly panicked, "I would love to stay to chat but I’ve got somewhere to be.”
Too soon she thought. She wanted him to say, badly, but bit her lip and didn’t say anything.
At the doorway, he paused, smiled and said, “Who knows, Granger, maybe your next lover will be much better in bed.” Then he disappeared into the corridor.
Hermione flushed bright scarlet, trying not to think about Draco and sex and then having sex with Draco. Oh god, now was not the time. It was never the time. She couldn’t let her thoughts about Draco stray that far. Ever.
When she had calmed down, she realised something: Draco had come to her room, without any reason at all. How strange. Had he wanted her to tell her something?
She needed to find out.
Chapter 2: Caught Red Handed
Summary:
His flawless skin.
His dark, intense eyes.
The line of his jaw.
The sweep of his silver hair.
The smirk of his inviting, delicious-looking mouth.
She looked away. Merlin, she wouldn’t survive a kiss from him. She felt weak just at the thought.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Draco Malfoy lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling. He kept replaying the image of Hermione’s flushed cheeks, her lip caught in her teeth, and the look in her eyes when she had said she was breaking up with Ron. In any other situation where Ron and Hermione broke up, he would tell himself not to rejoice.. Hermione seemed happy about the situation herself. And if Hermione was happy, so was he.
He scolded himself - just because she was single, didn’t mean he had a chance with her. He’d never have a chance with her - fucked up, former bully Malfoy. What kind of girl would want to be with a guy who’d done nothing but degrade and insult her for years on end?
But still, it was nice to know that Ron’s hands wouldn’t be all over her anymore. Really fucking nice. Weasely touching her - the idea made his blood heat. Yes, he was a Slytherin and yes he was possessive as fuck. Over a girl who will never want you? You’re pathetic. But then his mind went back over something she’d said. the sex is so utterly boring I think I might lose my mind. He laughed, of course, Weasley was bad in bed. But what did Hermione like in the bedroom? Just the thought of Hermione Granger and sex had him feeling heated.
He wondered what her kinks were, if she liked to be dominated, if she liked it rough or slow and sweet - or both? He wondered if he could make up for what Ron lacked in the bedroom.
And then he was fantasizing about her - her olive, smooth skin, that hair of hers, those eyes looking into his as he-
He needed help.
Knowing this, he regretfully began to move his hand below his covers. Slowly, he touched himself, to the thought of her. He let his mind lead him wherever it pleased. He started to-
The door slammed open and he sat upright. His breath caught.
There, in the doorway was...Hermione Fucking Granger?
What were the odds.
She stood timidly, in her nightclothes - an oversized hoodie, and by the looks of it, no pants. Her small legs were completely exposed, and the thought of her not having underwear on - was not helping with his situation. Which was that he’d just been masturbating about the girl who’d just barged into his bedroom without knocking.
Just his luck.
He rubbed his eyes - for a second, hoping that he might be hallucinating a barely clothed Hermione Granger (because he was that horny.) and he wouldn’t have to navigate this very awkward situation.
But nope, she was still standing there, beautiful as ever. Since when did you decide she was beautiful?
He blinked.
Ensuring his blankets covered his erection, he turned awkwardly in his bed to face her.
“Jesus, Granger. Ever heard of knocking?”
She met him with a defiant stare. She still looked a little fuzzy - the dark of the room made it hard to fully see all her features.
“No,” she said, smirking, and mocking his reply to her earlier.
He rolled his eyes and waited for her to say something, the hum of the dark blue room the only sound occupying the space apart from his breathing. When it became apparent that she wasn’t going to speak, he sighed. “Are you going to explain to me why you’re here in my room so late? I mean I know I’m hot as hell but I didn’t think you were the type of girl who had sex-”
Hermione squeaked. “Malfoy! That’s not-” she bit her lip - “I was going to come earlier but McGonagall had me doing something for her and then Harry had asked-”
“Will you just spit it out, Granger?”
She took a breath. “Well, I just wanted to ask why you came to my room earlier. Did you have something to ask me?”
She was chewing on her lip, clearly nervous and he wanted to capture that moment forever in his mind. That look in her eyes, she was expectant but she looked so innocent and small. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. What was she nervous about? Him? Because she found him attractive? Wishful thinking, Malfoy.
He opened his eyes and cleared his throat. In his rush to leave the room after he had told Hermione Granger she deserved better, he’d forgotten to tell her why he had come to her room in the first place.
“Ah yes, that. I wanted to ask you about something.’
Hermione slowly wandered over towards him, towards his bed. He tried to ignore his rapid heartbeat, which he was very grateful she couldn’t hear. She lingered awkwardly, swaying on her feet. His eyes drifted to her bare legs.
“Well,” he said, tearing his gaze back up to her face. “McGonnogal has given me the task to go through the Hogwarts Library Archives and sort through everything there. I know you love libraries, and so I figured-” He faltered, he’d immediately assumed she’d say yes and now he was beginning to doubt himself. “I mean you don’t have to-we’d have to spend a lot of time together-”
“Malfoy shut up!” She put her hand over her mouth. Even in the dim light of the room, he saw Hermione’s eyes spark up. “I didn’t mean- what I mean is - Yes! Yes! ” she squealed. “Oh yes! This is - Malfoy, I can’t thank you enough. I’d love to!”
“Great,” he smiled, slightly speechless at how his heart expanded at the sight of her so happy.
He wanted to make her that happy all the time.
“It’s every Saturday from morning until lunch that she wants me- us to do them. Does that work?”
She chewed on her lip and Draco did everything to not look at her then. Her messy curls and her bare legs. He was still half-hard from his thoughts before and her being here did not help, and in those clothes. Merlin, he needed help.
“Yes, I think that works.”
“Great,” he said, again, clueless as to what else to say. How did she manage to take all the words from his mouth?
She beamed. “I’ll see you Saturday then.”
As she left, and as he sunk back into his bed, he called after her.
”Next time knock Granger!”
Notes:
i feel this chapter is very weak and kinda poorly written - so sorry about that! let me know what you think? sorry for the slow updates - again, this is my first long fanfic and i'm still figuring out how i want to write certain things. (the spin the bottle game has weird rules but i didn't put too much thought into it?")
Chapter Text
They were in the common room when Pansy decided they should play spin the bottle. Hermione’s break up with Ron had surprisingly gone down well - and though things felt awkward between them, the friendship group had been warm and understanding. They sat in the circle - all ten of them - when it was Hermione’s turn to spin the bottle, it landed on Theo.
Pansy giggled. “I dare you to kiss Theo. On the lips.”
Hermione squirmed. She had a thing with kisses that she wasn’t sure she wanted to explain. “But I- Can’t I do the truth instead?”
“Oh come on ‘Mione. It's just a kiss.”
“I’ll do a kiss on the cheek then.”
Pansy grumbled. “Fine.”
Hermione crawled over to Theo, and she leaned in.
It was at that exact moment that Malfoy walked in, his eyes immediately glueing on the scene in front of him. His eyes locked with Hermione's. Her heart stopped in her chest at the sight of him, her mouth inches away from another boy's face, her lips wet and her eyes wide. Hermione, not backing out now, leaned in closer and pecked Theo on the cheek, all while sustaining heated eye contact with Draco who seemed to be studying her like a book. Then, abruptly, she pulled back and severed her eye contact with Draco, looking determinedly at the floor. She waited for Draco to pass through - he never played games like this but instead, he came over.
“Mind if I join?” he asked. Harry gave him a puzzled look.
“Are you sure? This doesn’t seem like your type of game.”
Draco raised his eyebrows.“You’d be surprised, Potter.”
Draco sat next to Harry, and Hermione felt a little wounded that he hadn’t chosen to sit next to her. She told herself it didn’t matter, and well, at least, he was in her direct eye line meaning she could stare at him. Not that she was going to stare at him, but still.
“Well since you’ve just joined, spin the bottle Draco.” Pansy swept her hair behind her shoulders.
Draco gulped - seeming a little nervous. “What are the rules to this game anyway?”
“You spin the bottle. The group decides if we give you a truth or a kiss to the person it landed on. Whatever we think would be more interesting.” Draco’s mind latched onto the word kiss.
“Okay,” he drawled. “Sounds fair.” The bottle, obviously, had to land on Hermione. He flicked his eyes up to her and she stopped breathing.
“Truth,” Hermione immediately blurted. “We should choose a truth.”
Harry smiled, almost as if he knew something he shouldn’t. “Why so urgent Hermione?”
Even Ron seemed a little suspicious at her outburst. In fact, everyone in the circle seemed a little surprised.
“What?” Hermione said, exasperated. “Malfoy probably has a very interesting past. Don’t you want to find out about it?”
Pansy smoothed her hair down.“Actually, no. I’d rather see Malfoy kiss you.”
Hermione blushed and hoped that Draco didn’t notice.
“Me too,” Harry said, chuckling. Hermione shot a glare at Harry but he just smiled wildly at her.
“What? No. I mean- Sure. But I doubt Malfoy would agree. Right?” Draco’s eyes met hers and there was a fire in them.
For a moment, the rest of the group was drowned out all Hermione could see was the flames dancing in his eyes - his look was so intense and the breath was stolen from her lungs.
His flawless skin.
His dark, intense eyes.
The line of his jaw.
The sweep of his silver hair.
The smirk of his inviting, delicious-looking mouth.
She looked away. Merlin, she wouldn’t survive a kiss from him. She felt weak just at the thought.
“Well, Granger,” he said, running his hand through his hair, his eyes now sparkling, “I can’t really say no.” He looked at Pansy. “All right, I’ll do it.” He began to move but Hermione yelped, absolutely mortified.
“Wait! I don’t want a kiss on the mouth.”
Pansy sighed. “What is it with you and kisses?”
Hermione's face flushed a bright red. “It’s just that on the mouth kisses are very romantic to me. I don’t want that to be tainted by something fake.” She didn’t meet Draco’s eyes as she said all this, staring determinedly at Pansy instead.
Pansy sighed. “Fine, Draco, don't kiss her on the mouth then.”
Draco didn’t seem troubled by Hermione’s request and casually walked a few paces over and before Hermione could say another word, he dropped his head to her face. His hand came to circle her neck, not touching but hovering. Hermione had assumed he was going to kiss her cheek, and her eyes fluttered close, eagerly waiting for his lips But his head dropped lower, his breath hot on her skin. And then, so slow it felt like torture, he pressed a small, gentle kiss on her neck, right below her jaw. Pleasure shot through her, quick and hot.
All too quick, his body heat was removed from her and Hermione suppressed a shiver at the absence of him so close, but she knew Draco had felt it. When she opened her eyes, she locked eyes with Draco who was still staring at her. His eyes were hot and intense. She couldn’t speak, think or even try - all she could do was stare at him. He was so beautiful. And the feeling of his lips on her skin - god, it had been a second. But.
She wanted more.
Hermione cleared her throat and Draco slowly returned to his seat, all the while smirking. Smug bastard.
"Wow, you two should get a room. It's hot in here." she heard Harry say. She gave him an ungrateful smile in response, and for the second time that day questioned just why she was friends with Harry.
The group continued talking and laughing but there was blood roaring in her ears - she couldn’t stop replaying the moment in her head. He’d kissed her neck. And she’d liked it.
Draco Malfoy couldn’t stop thinking about Hermione Granger. He thought about her eyes closing before he kissed her neck, the slight shiver, the look they’d shared right afterwards. It was beautiful. She was beautiful. And then he thought about how she’d said kisses were romantic for her. It made more sense to him why she’d broken up with Ron then - she wanted something real and pure. Maybe he could give her that. Merlin, he thought he just wanted to fuck her. That was it - he just wanted to fuck her.
Nothing else.
Still, he was excited about Saturday. He had never been so thankful towards McGonagall’s existence before. Now, he had a date with Hermione Granger. Well, not exactly a date, but a boy could dream.
Notes:
So! Chapter 2 - I love how Draco is such a simp for Hermione in this!! some more sexual tension coming soon, promise. and pls let me know what you think x
Chapter 4: This Is Not A Date
Summary:
"Who was the last girl you slept with?”
Draco nearly choked on his drink. “Wow,” he said finally, raising his eyebrows, “why are you interested Granger? Fancy getting into my bed yourself?”
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
“Hermione,” Pansy said in that voice of hers, “we need to talk.”
Hermione looked up from her book. She’d settled in for the evening, two of her favourite candles already lit, and her wet hair - from her shower- lay against her pillow. She was reading up about something very interesting - but of course, she couldn’t have expected zero interruptions. Pansy always had something to gossip about.
“About?”
"Draco.”
Hermione’s breath caught - images of him flashing through her head at lightning speed.
The dare, last night, the date at the library, his tall long frame, his hair, his eyes.
“What about him?”
“You like him.”
Hermione’s cheeks heated but she forced herself to slow her breathing down. “What makes you say that?”
“Hermione, its really, really obvious.”
She glared at Pansy. “No, it’s not.”
“So you do like him?”
“No! I mean, yes. But not- oh my god, I hate you, Pansy.”
“No, you don’t." Pansy grinned. "Anyways, I want to talk about it.”
“Why? I mean, I know he’s your ex and everything but-”
“Oh Granger, I’m not jealous. I’m actually ecstatic about the whole thing.”
“Ecstatic?”
“Yes, you two are literally made for each other. Everyone’s known since you punched him in the third year that the sexual tension between you two has been high. It's like you can’t decide if you want to kill him or kiss him.”
Hermione tried not to grin. Then she shook her head at the notion.“That is absolutely absurd, Pans. It's not like Malfoy would even be interested in something serious. You know his reputation.”
Draco Malfoy - the guy who could fuck any girl in the year - and would, if he wanted to. There were much, much prettier girls than Hermione that he’d slept with, and even if she did get any further with him - it would never be something real, something she wanted.
“Now, Hermione, I thought you were the smartest in our year. Surely you can’t be this dense.”
“But it’s true,” Hermione murmured, feeling slightly dejected. “And plus I don't like him that much - I just think he’s attractive. I’d be a fool to say he isn’t.”
“So you’re saying you don’t want to make out with him?”
“Pans! Of course, I don’t.”
Pansy raised a sceptical eyebrow.
“Okay maybe just once. Just to see what it's like.”
“Trust me when I say that Malfoy is an amazing kisser.”
Hermione nearly choked on air. “I did not need to know that.”
Pansy’s grin was wide. “But you did. You do. Want to know everything about him, that is. Don’t deny it, Hermione. I know your affection for him runs deeper.”
Hermione snorted. “Even if it did, I’ve already said. Malfoy hasn’t had a proper relationship with a girl since you. He just has one night stands, that’s it. And believe it or not,
I’m not particularly interested in that.”
Pansy hummed. “Are you sure? He’s also excellent in bed.”
Hermione pressed her book to her face to hide her red face. “Pansy,” she said through gritted teeth, “stop putting images in my mind.”
Pansy tore the book from Hermione’s face. “Look, I’m just trying to show you how compatible you and Draco would be.”
Hermione scoffed. “How do I put this plainly? I want a deep romantic connection with someone, and Malfoy just wants a quick fuck. I would hardly call that compatible.”
Shaking her head, Pansy took Hermione’s hands into her own. “I’m telling you now, he’s different with you. I’ve seen the way he interacts with other girls, and it's not the
same. You’re special to him Hermione. I know it.”
“Different? In the fact that I have zero sex appeal and so he doesn’t care about getting in my pants?”
“Zero sex appeal? Are you out of your mind? You’re one of the hottest girls in Hogwarts!”
Hermione felt her cheeks heat. “I-” she struggled for words. “I’m not saying I’m ugly. I just don’t think I’m exactly Draco’s sexual fantasy. You know?”
Pansy hummed. “Maybe not, but maybe if you just wore some shorter skirts-”
“I am not dressing sexually just for the chance that Malfoy will think I'm hot!”
Pansy shook her head. "I’m saying if you show you’re interested in sex in some way, then Draco’s sure to think about it. Get in his head.”
Hermione scoffed. “And even If I do - even if he wants me, it’ll never go deeper. Sex is good, but I want- I want more. You know that Pans.”
“Then get to know him. He’s not going to continue to fuck girls for the rest of his life. One day he’s going to want something serious - to settle down with a beautiful, wonderful witch. That’s going to be you.”
“Pans, you can’t possibly be serious. I’m not going to try and change Malfoy to become some loving boyfriend. I don’t think that’s who he is.”
“I’m not saying to change him, Mione. I’m saying that’s who he already he is, he’s just looking for the right witch.”
“And you think that’s me?”
“Give him a chance. Get to know him.” Pansy’s voice was pleading.
Hermine sighed and reluctantly began to speak. “Well, I’m going to be spending time with him every Saturday at the library.” She tried not to smile at the thought.
Pansy squealed as Hermione explained Draco’s proposition about the library. “This is perfect! It's practically a date. Make sure to wear something scandalous. Wear a short skirt! What’s wrong with looking a little sexy?”
Hermione swatted her away. “No, no! That’s not going to happen!”
Pansy stared.
Hermione groaned. “Fine, I’ll wear a shorter skirt.”
Pansy grinned and began to crawl into her own bed. “This time you’re going to spend with him. You’ll have a chance to get to know him. And plus it's so quiet in there, a perfect place to kiss, if I do say so myself”
With that, Pansy darkened the room, leaving Hermione with the image of Draco Malfoy kissing her.
It was Saturday - Hermione chose her outfit as she usually would but instead of going for her knee-length plaid skirts - she picked out a black tennis skirt that was dangerously short and exposed a lot of thigh. She felt ridiculous and giddy all at once - and she was transported back to when she was 14, trying to impress Krum at the Yule Ball. She didn’t hold extremely fond memories of Krum, but she did remember what it was like to want to look pretty for him. She did want to look pretty for Malfoy, and perhaps a little sexy she thought, as she applied a little makeup to her eyes. She admired herself in the mirror - her eyes looked big and sweet, the brown of them standing out against her skin. Her chestnut curls tumbled across her shoulders, sitting against a black and white jumper. And then, of course, the skirt. And a lot of leg. She felt exposed, but she also felt strangely more confident.
When Hermione entered the library, Draco tried to hide his surprise. She never wore skirts that short, and it was the first time he’d seen the enticing skin of her creamy thighs. He felt desire tingle through him but he managed to not let his gaze linger on her legs for too long.
Hermione walked over, smiling, her curls bouncing ever so slightly.
“Nice skirt, Granger.”
Hermione huffed. “Thank you,” she said, as she took a seat next to him on the couch. They were in the more open part of the library, overlooking the many shelves and she felt strangely at peace with him now.
“Well,” he said, wasting no time, “we’ve been tasked to sort out all these books. Some of them are damaged upon a repair to which we’ll put away separately. Then there are some we’ll have to repair and replace back in the right part of the library. Other books need to be reviewed and updated in the system. Its a bunch of admin work so I understand it if you no longer want to help.”
“If you insinuate one more time that I’m not going to enjoy spending my mornings with the company of books then I will have to…” she struggled to think of a serious threat.
“Have to what, Granger?”
“I will have to personally punch you in the face. Just like I did in third year,” she said decisively.
Draco let out a small laugh. “That’s hardly a punishment, Granger.”
She flung around to face him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nevermind.” There was something in his voice. “Let’s just get on with our task.”
They worked in silence for the next hour, only the sounds of rustling paper and muttered spells accompanying them. It felt like they had entered a different world there - one where they didn’t need to constantly tease each other - where the silence was comfortable and Draco couldn’t help but think how easy it was to be with her. How the time passed in calm, gentle waves. Hermione made a small sound and he looked over to see her stretching. The jumper she wore had ridden up and a small patch of her stomach was showing.
It was nothing, and yet his eyes felt stuck to the small piece of skin. He didn’t want to look away. He wanted to- He wanted to touch her. Touch those bare thighs and then in between them. Watch how her eyes would grow heavy with pleasure, how her breaths would come quicker as she fell apart for him-
Merlin, he thought, he needed to get a grip on himself. He was Draco Malfoy for god’s sake, he didn’t get horny over seeing a little skin. He realised he was still staring when Hermione stopped stretching and her gaze rested on him. Their eyes locked. She looked away instantly, and Draco wished she hadn’t, wished she’d challenge him and continued to stare. But why would she? She wasn’t interested in him, that was for sure.
“How are you getting along?” she asked.
“It’s alright, but I think I need a break. All this staring at books has my eyes hurting. What about you?”
“Agreed.” she paused as if she needed to prepare herself for her next words. “We should play a game.”
“If you mean spin the bottle, forget it.”
He loved seeing her squirm at the mention of that memory. He knew she was thinking of it, and so was he. It was a moment he’d replayed in his head multiple times - her eyelashes fluttering, her slender neck, her vanilla scent.
She made a frustrated sound. “Well, what about truth or dare then?”
“I’m surprised you’re the one suggesting this. You don’t seem the type of girl who would go to all these lengths just for me to kiss her.” He was teasing of course but Hermione turned a deep red. She seemed speechless for a second but he just smirked. It was amusing how easily embarrassed and flustered she got.
“I do not want you to kiss me. In fact, I’m hoping you don’t choose dare for most of them, and instead truth.”
“And why’s that?”
“Because I’m curious about you.” she said as if it was the easiest and most natural thing to admit.
He was still recovering from the sting of her saying she didn’t want to kiss him, and yet the hiss of pleasure he got from her saying she was curious about him felt stupid but intense. Why did the idea of Hermione Granger wanting to know him make him so damn excited?
“Well, Granger, I am a man of many secrets. How about we go to Hogsmeade, get some warm drinks, and play the game there?”
Hogesmaede was warm and cosy - a respite from the cold autumn air outside. The general chatter of the place and the warm hum of drinks being served, and people laughing and talking warmed Hermione’s heart.
Draco pulled out her chair for her to sit. She didn't miss the way his eyes hovered on her legs for a second and then away.
"This is not a date, Malfoy."
Draco only smirked. "What ever gave you that idea?"
Hermione huffed and then got seated.
“Truth or dare?”
Draco’s eyebrows furrowed. “Truth.”
“What made you change - after the war?”
He hesitated. “I never really had a choice, Granger. I never wanted to kill Dumbledore or be a Death Eater. And yes, I could’ve been better. But I didn’t know much else. I had my family and my Slytherin friends. I only found guidance and goodness after The War because I found better influences, and chose to educate myself on history and prejudice. Its no excuse, but...I was just a boy.”
Hermione felt something in her turn - he trusted her to tell her all of this? Truth be told, she had expected a short answer, for him to brush over the subject.
“Your turn, Granger. Truth Or Dare?”
Hermione sipped at her drink. “Truth.”
“What’s the last thing you dreamed about?”
Hermione raised her eyebrows - surprised - shee felt for sure he’d embarrass her with a crass question. She threw her mind back.
“My parents,” she admitted. “I can’t remember properly but I remember we were in my kitchen and we were having a good time.” She looked down at her lap. “I miss them.”
Looking up, she met Draco’s eyes expecting to find anything but sympathy or understanding. But that is what she found there - a gentle sort of kindness she didn’t know Draco possessed.
“I’m sorry Granger. It shouldn’t - you don't deserve that.”
She shook her head - “It used to be hard. It still is - but less. It hurts less. Anyways," she said, taking a breath, “Truth or Dare Malfoy?” she smiled, hoping to lighten the mood.
“Truth.”
“You’re no fun! Why don’t you pick a dare?”
“I don’t trust you enough with a dare.”
She grumbled. “Fine. Who was the last girl you slept with?”
Draco nearly choked on his drink. “Wow,” he said, raising his eyebrows, “why are you, interested Granger? Fancy getting into my bed yourself?”
Hermione felt her cheeks warm. “No! Of course not. I’m just curious, that’s all.”
“Curious, I see. Well, if you must know, it was Daphne Greengrass.”
Hermione’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “But that wasn’t recent. You were with her a year ago. Unless you-”
“You’re correct, Granger. I slept with her about a year ago.”
Hermione looked at him in disbelief. “Why no one else since then? I mean - you, you can .”
Draco smirked and she hated how much she was coming to like that grin of his. “I could but,” he shrugged, “Truth be told, I wasn’t really satisfied sleeping around with random girls for long. I got bored.”
“Bored? Of sex?”
Draco laughed. “Are you telling me you didn’t get bored of sex with Weasely?”
Hermione forced herself to still for a moment so she didn’t explode at that very moment. “That is not relevant to the conversation,” she said finally, through gritted teeth.
“Isn’t it? It's something that we have in common.”
“Being bored…”
“Of sex. It's okay, you can finish the sentence, Granger.”
She reached over and punched him on the arm, jolting his drink.
“Watch it! You almost spilt my drink!”
“Serves you right.”
“What?” he said, raising his hands as if innocent. “What did I do?”
“You were being an idiot.”
“Aren’t I always?”
Hermione glared at him. “I can’t argue with that.”
He grinned and then took a large gulp of his drink. “Well, Granger, truth or dare?”
“Truth.”
“And you said I was boring,” Draco muttered. “Do you have an eye on a certain wizard right now?” Hermione didn’t know if she was imagining the hope in his voice at the question.
“Malfoy, I just broke up with Ron a week ago.”
“Answer the question, Granger.”
“I- Yeah. Yeah, I guess I do.”
“And who’s the lucky guy?”
Hermione could not, would not look at him. Her insides felt like they were on fire. “I don’t think he feels the same, so it doesn’t matter.”
“Granger, any guy would be a fool to pass up on dating you.”
Their eyes met and Hermione’s heart skipped a beat - maybe several. His look was warm and honey, his face soft and beautiful and he felt like he saw her then - really saw her - in a way that no one else had.
“We’ll see.” is all she said, in that quiet voice of hers.
Notes:
Happy New Year everyone! I really love this chapter - a little bit sexy and emotional which is my favourite type of chapter haha. Let me know your thoughts so far! x
Chapter 5: Jealous
Summary:
“I was listening,” she lied, “I just happen to know about Blaise’s talents.”
She raised a suggestive eyebrow at Blaise who grinned flirtatiously back.
She needed to take this further, so impulsively she placed a hand on the very tops of his thigh, and grasped the cloth between her fingers.Theo coughed loudly. “Am I the only one who thinks she means more than one thing when she says talent?”
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Hermione threw her bag onto her bag and then slumped on to it.
“He hasn’t slept with someone in over a year, Pans.”
“Are you sure ?”
“Yes, the last girl he slept with was Daphne.”
Pansy, hesitated, resting her head in her hand. “That’s impossible.”
Hermione giggled. “Is it? It's not that absurd.”
“It doesn’t seem like him, is what I’m saying.”
They both fell into deep thought for a few moments.
Pansy eyes sparked up. “When did you start getting to know him? Malfoy.”
Hermione thought back. They definitely hadn’t become friends immediately after the war, it had taken time and a lot of healing. Plus it had been awkward to become friends with people who she’d thought she’d always hate. But after several months of them mixing in classes and events, it became easier to talk to other Slytherins - and others from other houses. She found many admirable qualities in many people who she’d simply written off before. The war had changed things - and in a small way she was glad for that.
“It’s...It’s been a year now. We haven’t been super close all that time. But that’s when we first started treating each other with respect.”
“A year ago was the last time he had sex...a year ago he started to get to know you! Are you thinking what I’m thinking Hermione!”
“Oh my - that’s simply a coincidence! That means absolutely nothing, Pansy.”
“Are you sure? What if it's not a coincidence? What if he’s liked you all this time and has been waiting for you-”
“Pansy, you can’t possibly believe that while I was still with Ron he was holding onto the wild notion that I’d be with him and therefore stop sleeping with any girl? It’s ridiculous. He told me he stopped because he was bored”
“Of sex?”
“That’s what I said! I thought men never tired of it.”
Pansy hummed, tapping her foot repeatedly against the floor.
“Well,” she said finally, “It doesn’t matter about why Draco stopped sleeping around. Maybe it's not to do with you. Maybe it is. Whatever. What this means is he’s looking for something serious. And so are you. So…”
“So I might have a chance,” Hermione muttered quietly.
“Exactly.”
“Well, what do I do?”
“Well, for one, I don’t think seducing him is going to work. He’s pretty good at ignoring girl’s advances on him. You’ve got to- You’ve got to find out- if he feels the same.”
“And how on earth do I do that?”
Pansy smiled. “See if he gets jealous of you with another guy. If he doesn’t, then he probably thinks of you as a friend. But I have a feeling Malfoy won’t like the idea of someone touching his girl”
“I am not his,” Hermione hissed.
“Not yet.” Hermione ignored Pansy’s face splitting into a wide grin.
Blaise shook his head. “If you really want to win Draco’s affection, this shouldn’t be how you do it.”
“Please? I’m paying you after all.”
Blaise sighed.
On Fridays, the common room was usually filled out with people. All the houses had begun to mix after the war, and while Hermione’s friend group didn’t exactly overlap with Draco’s, Blaise’s did. She strolled in, observing people sitting on couches and playing cards, trying out stupid spells, drinking certain substances, and she even spotted a couple making out a little too aggressively.
Her eyes scanned the room and she spotted Theo, Blaise and Draco chatting on the floor. Well, Draco was sprawled on the armchair and Theo and Blaise were surrounding him on the floor beneath him. It was an amusing scene. Her heart stuttered at what she was going to do but she strolled over with as much as the confidence she could muster.
Draco’s eyes flickered up when he saw her approaching. “Granger?” he said, confused. They didn’t interact much outside their library dates or lessons, and so this was new. She ignored him completely.
“Blaise, ” she drawled, “Mind if I sit next to you?” she threw the most innocent, sweet look at him, looking down at him with wide eyes and a pleading face.
Blaise smiled politely. “Sure, Hermione.” He moved over a little to let Hermione sit directly in front of Malfoy who still sat on the chair, looking down at her. The Slytherins were sitting back on their hands but Hermione huddled close to Blaise, drawing her knees up to her chest, right next to his shoulder.
She didn’t want to be too over the top like she was dating Blaise, but a little flirting couldn’t hurt. Could it?
She felt completely out of her depths sitting with them, conversations alone with Draco easy but now not knowing what to do with herself.
“Well, what were you guys talking about?” Her voice was high-pitched and breathless.
“Believe it or not, quidditch,” Theo answered.
Draco grimaced.
“Well, continue! Just pretend I’m not here.”
She gave a pointed glance to Blaise. He faltered. Then - “I mean that’s not really possible now is it, Hermione?” He flashed a grin at her and she hoped her blush looked real to Draco.
“Blaise,” she muttered, aiming to sound shy and embarrassed.
Draco cleared his throat but she still couldn’t bring herself to look at him. It was only as the boys got lost into their conversation did she subtly sneak a glance at him. He was explaining something to them and as he did he was moving his hands about. God, those hands. Those very big hands. No doubt those fingers were skilled. She didn’t dwell on that thought for much longer otherwise she wouldn’t be able to focus on the task at hand.
Which was what?
She couldn’t- Draco was wearing a loose shirt and now he was rolling up the sleeves of his shirt, exposing his beautiful skin. She felt everything inside her clench at the sight. How was it possible for him to look that damn good? His fingers rested on his chin, drawing her eyes to his fantastic jawline, and his eyes absently drifted to hers. She looked away immediately, panic shooting through her and perhaps something else, pretending she had been staring at Blaise. All she could think was oh my he is so hot.
“Well, Hermione, what do you think?” Blaise asked, who also seemed to be remembering why she was here in the first place.
“Hmm?” She hadn’t been listening, too busy thinking about Draco’s goddamn forearms.
Those hands.
“Do you think we’ll win the match on Saturday, Hermione?” She liked that he said her name at the end of sentences, it was sweet.
“Well,” she drew the word out as if she was really considering. “If you’re on the team,” she smiled looking directly at Blaise, her legs slightly brushing his, “no doubt you’ll win.”
She realised with a start that even if Draco wasn’t here, that flirting was actually fun. Blaise knew this was all pretend, so she felt more confident being risky.
Draco humphed and smiled like he knew a secret. “You do know we’re up against Gryffindor right? Maybe you would know that if you had been focusing.” His voice was bitter but so smug.
Fuck.
Was she that bad at acting like she was attracted to Blaise? And was she that bad at hiding her attraction to him? Did he know how sexy he was? Did he know that she spent every waking moment thinking of him whether it was that smile of his, or his laugh, or his arms? Which she was doing everything to not look at right now.
“I was listening,” she lied, “I just happen to know about Blaise’s talents.” She raised a suggestive eyebrow at Blaise who grinned flirtatiously back. She needed to take this further, so impulsively she placed a hand on the very top of his thigh, and grasped the cloth between her fingers.
Theo coughed loudly. “Am I the only one who thinks she means more than one thing when she says talents?”
Hermione did everything not to burst out into a fit of giggles but she dared a glance at Draco. His jaw was clenched and his eyes were fixed on her hand like he wanted to burn it. Good.
Draco’s voice could’ve gut glass. “Granger.”
“What?” she huffed.
He bought his gaze up to meet her and it was icy. “I never took you for a traitor.”
She laughed, keeping her hand on Blaise’s thigh. “How am I a traitor?”
“Surely you should be supporting Gryffindor.”
“I mean, I used to but then I met this very handsome, skilled man.” She turned to Blaise. “Isn’t that right?”
“You two need to get a room because I promise you Draco and I do not want to see-”
Draco cut him off. “So that’s all it takes. A handsome guy to make you change your loyalties?” His voice was angry but scarily quiet and reserved all at once. She noticed a flush in his cheeks, and his breathing seemed heavier. She clenched the cloth of Blaise's trousers tighter instinctively, and she saw his eyes catch the movement, and she didn't miss the darkening of his pupils.
“Goodness Malfoy. It’s not a life or death situation. I just want to support a guy I like.”
“Sure, Granger. Even your friends can’t rely on your loyalty.” He grit out, his voice dripping with bitterness.
She was unsure if he was talking about Harry and Ron then or himself. Was he actually angry at her? She thought at most he’d be a little possessive but she’d never seen him like this. It terrified her.
Her facade broke.
The hurt in her voice was evident. “You know what? This was fun, but I- I think I have to go. Thanks for letting me hang out with you.”
She didn’t know why she did it, perhaps it was the people pleaser nature inside her, but she smiled at Draco as she stood up even though she’d done nothing wrong - and he was acting out of turn.
He simply just stared at her as if he wasn’t really seeing her.
Hermione’s stomach churned violently as she made her way back to her room - she felt terrible. She wasn't even happy about the idea of Draco getting jealous - he probably hated her now.
She’d never regretted a plan more.
Notes:
Personally, I kinda loved how angry/annoyed Draco was in this scene!! I feel like it might be out of character for Hermione to do something like this but it was fun to write! Draco POV coming very very soon.
Chapter 6: I’m Not Going To Kiss You
Summary:
They both breathed heavily for a moment and Draco revelled in how close she was to him.
“Yes,” she breathed.
“Hmm?”
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Draco hadn’t been able to sleep that night. After she had left, he’d wanted to go after her to explain himself in some way. He was angry at her but more angry at himself.
Now he sat his desk trying to read something, anything to keep his mind off the image of her and Blaise together. Slamming his book shut, he screwed his eyes shut and all he could see was her hand on his thigh. Hermione Granger. Somehow she’d managed to get under his skin. He’d started to like her, enjoy her presence and then she had to pull that? He hadn’t even been aware that Blaise and her hung out. And the looks she’d been giving to him, biting her lip and her eyes blown wide. Fuck fuck fuck. She didn’t have to be so gorgeous. She didn’t, but she was. Of course, Blaise wanted her, which wizard didn’t?
He didn’t really want to be with Hermione, he only wanted for her to be his. He knew that was fucked up but he didn’t want to work through his emotions about her right now. He wanted to fuck her. Nothing more. And so, understandably, the sight of her flirting with Blaise had made his insides feel like they were burning. He knew he had no right to treat her that way and the sad little smile she’d given to him when she had left broke him. In the moment, he had felt a sick disgust for her. Now he felt guilty. She hadn’t done anything wrong - she was one of the few people who had made an effort to be his friend, to understand he had changed. And he’d gone and fucked it up.
He needed to explain himself to her - apologise for his behaviour and then blame it on something else so she wouldn’t suspect that he was so jealous of her hand on Blaise’s leg he thought he might burst. He got ready for the day and then started walking quickly through the corridors- and spotted Pansy and immediately made his way over.
“Pansy, do you know where Granger is?”
Pansy smiled at him like she knew a secret. She tucked her hair behind her ear. “Why do you want to know? You got a crush?”
“Tell me where she is Pansy.”
Pansy seemed disappointed. “Whatever, she’s in the library.”
When he found her among the rows of books, it was silent and she had taken a book out of a shelf and was flicking through it. He couldn’t see her expression from behind but he could imagine the look of concentration on her face. He didn’t mean to sneak up on her, but he found himself treading slowly and quietly towards her.
Finally, when he was mere inches from her, he bent down and whispered against her ear. “Granger.”
She yelped, dropping the book and spun around, her beautiful face entirely too close to his.
“Malfoy,” she squeaked “What are you doing here?”
His face was still so close to hers - so close that he could accidentally kiss her. Before he could think more about that, he moved his face away from hers - still close, but not dangerously close. He stared at her lips for a moment, so distracted by the sight of them he forgot she’d asked a question.
Then he jolted himself back into reality. “I came here to…” Well shit, he hadn’t really thought this through. “Uh-”
“Would you mind hurrying up, Malfoy? I was quite busy.”
“Yeah? Busy doing what.”
“I was reading up on how to make this very specific potion and it was actually quite intriguing if you must know. That was before you interrupted me.”
“Shouldn’t you be with Blaise?” he sneered. The words slipped loose - he had had no intention of saying them but he couldn’t stop thinking about how she’d been touching him and look at him yesterday. The images were burned into his mind and he couldn’t think of anything else.
Hermione frowned. “Why would I be with him?”
“I assumed you were dating now. You did say you had an eye on a certain wizard the other day.”
Hermione laughed. And then laughed some more. And then she couldn’t stop. “Sorry,” she said breathlessly “Me and Blaise? You think we’re dating?”
“You were practically groping him in the common room yesterday,” Draco said, who didn't find this as amusing as her.
At this Hermione looked away from him. “Well,” she said eventually “That was just- we’re not dating. We were just having some harmless fun. You needn’t be so angry.”
“Angry?” he shook his head and smirked. He reached down and took her palm in his and she gasped loudly. “Angry?” he said as he threaded his other hand through her fingers so now he was holding both her hands. They were very small and cool in his.
“Malfoy,” she said in a hushed tone, “what are you doing?”
“You think I was angry, Granger?”
She seemed at a loss for words as he bought both her arms up and pinned them loosely beside her head, against the rough spines of the books. He could see her breathing heavily and he revelled in the knowledge that she was affected by this. By his touch.
“What are you doing Malfoy?” her voice was weak and breathless and he smiled even wider.
She looked so sexy then, completely open and vulnerable to him.
“Just some harmless fun, Granger,” he muttered as he leaned in so that their noses touched.
Hermione’s eyes closed, and she wet her lips.
He was struck with the realisation that she wanted this.
She wanted him to kiss her.
She wanted him.
There was a moment where Hermione’s eyes were still closed and her cheeks flushed. Where she thought he was going to kiss her. But he didn’t - just watched her intently.
And then she opened her eyes, disappointment written across her face.
“I’m not going to kiss you if that’s what you think.”
“Then why do you have me pinned up against a bookshelf?”
“I’m sorry for being so mean to you yesterday. My mind was elsewhere and I, unfortunately, took it out on you.”
“So it had nothing to do with me and Blaise then?” she said through gritted teeth.
“It was disconcerting to say the least. But I wasn’t angry about it.”
“That’s good to know Malfoy. If you would like to answer my previous question...that would be great.”
“I know on the mouth kisses are very romantic for you.”
She bit her lip. “They are,” she whispered.
“So i’m not going to kiss you.”
“Wouldn’t have dreamed of it,” she murmured.
“I just wanted to let you know there’s a party on the night of the quidditch match on Saturday. Wondered if you would come.”
“Do you want me there?” There was a lilt of something in her voice - hope?
“What do you think?” His voice was so much louder than the voice she was using now, quiet and small.
“I don’t know what to think, Malfoy.”
“You don’t have to be there alone Granger. You and Blaise can attend together.”
“Stop mentioning Blaise, I promise last night was…” She took a deep breath. “Well, what it is- i- well, I’ve never really got a chance to flirt with many people because I was with Ron,” she admitted. “We’re friends, that’s all. I’m just exploring. Do you blame me for that?”
His chest heaved. “No, I don’t”
They both breathed heavily for a moment and Draco revelled in how close she was to him.
“Yes,” she breathed.
“Hmm?”
“I’ll come.”
“Good.”
As Draco began to move away, Hermione spoke quickly. “I didn’t really want you to kiss me. I’m just exploring - as you know.”
“Granger, I get it. I certainly didn’t want to kiss you either. It was fun to see the look in your eyes when you thought I would.”
“If I recall correctly I was closing my eyes.”
“Funny, the memory has slipped from my mind.”
Hermione let out a little laugh. “Of course.”
His back was to her but then he turned to face her. “Seriously, Granger. I wouldn’t mind making out but you’ve been a really good friend to me. I don’t want more.”
Her smile looked pained - or perhaps he was imagining it. “Malfoy - I get it. We’re friends. I don’t want anything more either.”
“Good.” he nodded. “Glad we’re on the same page.”
He left silently, wondering when he’d gotten so good at lying.
Notes:
idk why i love setting scenes like this at the library but i hope you guys enjoy it! draco is a bit hands on in this chapter and i think hermione likes it more than she wants to admit haha. Thanks for reading! i didn't even expect anyone to read this story so it means a lot!
Chapter 7: Very Bad Liar
Summary:
Grasping his hair in her fingers, she pulled him impossibly closer - his kiss became rougher and she shivered. She wanted him so badly.
“Be a good girl Granger, and keep quiet for me.”
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
“We’re friends, that’s all. I’m just exploring. Do you blame me for that?”
“Why don’t you explore with me?” His voice was deep and beautiful, and he brushed his nose against hers, pushing her further into the shelf.
“But you won’t even kiss me.”
“Do you want me to?” She felt herself being drawn to his voice, his eyes, his face - and she couldn’t keep her hands off him for much longer.
She shook her head even as she said yes. She knew her voice sounded funny but he brushed his lips against hers, teasingly. Pleasure tingled through her delightfully and then he was really kissing her, aggressively, passionately, in an all-consuming, dizzying way. One hand on her face, one on her waist and the desire in her was like shimmering gold, it radiated off her and Draco was painting small circles on her stomach, just below her jumper. Grasping his hair in her fingers, she pulled him impossibly closer - his kiss became rougher and she shivered. She wanted him so badly.
“Be a good girl Granger, and keep quiet for me.”
She woke up from her dream with a start. The remnants of her dream lingered in her body, and she felt a sweet pulsing between her legs. She remembered feeling Draco’s lips on hers, his tongue in her mouth and how good it felt. She didn’t mean to but she immediately compared to Dream Draco to Ron’s kisses - they’d always left her with lukewarm feelings but now- God if Dream Draco was making her feel like this, then what would he be like in real life?
There was a pain in her chest. I certainly didn’t want to kiss you. To be fair, she had said it first, but that was only after he’d practically rejected her by not kissing her. Her mind couldn't stop replaying back to how rough he had been with her, pinning her up on those bookshelves, and how much she’d liked it.
She had laid herself vulnerable in front of him, closing her eyes, begging for a kiss like a fool. He must think her pathetic - of course, he didn’t want to kiss her. He was just teasing. It was his reputation to mess around with girls - that’s all he’d been doing. Why had she for one stupid moment forgot all this and actually hoped to make out with him?
She prided herself on being a smart witch, but when it came to Draco Malfoy she always felt like an idiot.
Still riled up from her dream, she showered that morning and then touched herself thinking of him.
Hermione chose her knee length skirt when getting dressed - he certainly didn’t want to kiss her so why try. Aware that she could also be sexy for herself, her hand hovered over a shorter skirt in her wardrobe. Then she remembered the party and decided she would save the sexiness for later.
It was only slightly awkward to see Malfoy in the library after their previous encounter. Her best efforts were put into ensuring she didn’t think of him pushing her up against a shelf and her dream about him. Extremely determined to put these things out of her mind, she sat down next to Malfoy, leaving a comfortable distance between them. He hadn’t looked up at her or even acknowledged her ever since she walked in so she cleared her throat.
“Malfoy?”
“Hello Granger,” he murmured, distracted. He was leafing through a book and seemed very intent on repairing it.
“Hi,” she said, feeling a little lost. Not wanting to make things even more awkward, she picked up a book off the pile herself and let silence fill the room for a while.
“Excited for the quidditch match today?” Merlins, why couldn’t she keep her mouth shut.
“Hmm, who do you want to win?”
The truth was, she wanted to see Gryffindor win but she was extremely aware of the words she’d said to Blaise earlier.
“Slytherin, of course.”
He raised an eyebrow but still didn’t look at her.
“And why’s that?”
“Because I’m a traitor.” She couldn’t even hide the disdain in her voice.
At that, he did look at her, his eyes flicked up and down her body - was he checking her out?
“Granger,” he sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Did I not apologize? I didn’t mean it. You know that.”
“I forgave you but Malfoy, but if we’re on such good terms why have you practically ignored me ever since I walked in.”
“My mind is elsewhere Granger. Not everything’s about you.”
“Of course it isn’t,” she said, annoyed.
“You know what? You’re acting really entitled right now.”
“Entitled? You’re my friend. You’re supposed to- I don’t know! Be nice!”
“Nice? Are you talking to the right person?”
“I thought you’d chan-”
“I have changed, Granger. Doesn’t mean I’m going to start being polite. If I don’t want to talk, I don’t have to.”
“Fine.”
A moment passed.
“Is this about the kiss?”
“What? No. No it's not about- No- what kiss?”
“Granger, you’re a very bad liar.”
“I told you I didn’t want to actually kiss you so why would I be angry about that?”
He hummed and resumed reading his book. Almost absent-mindedly he spoke. “Sit closer to me.”
Hermione's breath hitched and she hesitated, but then she was shuffling over to him, noting how their thighs almost brushed. She didn’t dare to speak - fearful she'd say something incredibly stupid.
“You smell good.” His voice was deep and husky.
“Thanks,” she breathed.
His fingers came to graze her arm and his eyes met hers. His voice was tender and low. “I’m sorry,” he said softly, “I don’t want to fight,”
She nodded. “Me neither.”
“Good,” he whispered and Hermione had to suppress her shiver of him saying that word in that voice.
“Now let’s get back to work,” he said as if nothing had happened at all.
They worked in silence as usual and as the hour slipped by, a calm rested over both of them. A calm Hermione hadn’t experienced in a while. With him, she could just be. She couldn’t explain it but Malfoy bought her the peace she found in books, in late night dips in the pool when she needed to de-stress. Even though he wasn’t always an easy person to like, when she was with him like this, she felt like he was the only person in the world who didn’t judge her, who let her simply just exist.
She wanted to bottle the feeling of being with him and get drunk on it.
“I’m going to have to leave early if that’s okay. I’ve got to get ready for my quidditch match.”
“Of course,” she murmured.
There was something almost domestic in the way he placed a thankful hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “I know I can always count on you.” She tried to ignore the beam in her heart when he smiled at her like that.
She wanted to be the cause of all his smiles. She grinned back. “Good luck, Malfoy. I’ll be coming to watch.”
“Well then, I hope I don’t disappoint.”
As Draco got prepared for his match, he found his thoughts wandering to Granger. She seemed to be on his mind increasingly, and he wasn’t exactly complaining but he’d never felt so confused about a girl. Usually, he knew exactly what he wanted - to have sex and be done with it. But Hermione was different. She’d made it clear that she wanted him but in what way? In a way where he’d have to be vulnerable with her? He tugged on a shirt - she wasn’t exactly the type for one time things, she wanted a relationship that was for sure. He couldn’t get her hopes up - there was absolutely no way he could ever give her something she wanted, something she deserved.
But it was becoming impossible to restrain himself - he wanted to kiss her so badly it was driving him mad. He knew if he gave in, then whatever peace he found with her would be gone and be replaced with the stress of a relationship he’d never be ready for.
He could barely sustain a friendship with her, and he knew he’d just fuck up a romance with her and then regret everything. No, it was better this way, having her company and not her love - he didn’t do relationships.
His last thought before he made his way out onto the field was how much he missed the sight of her legs in a short skirt.
Notes:
hermione's dream about draco is easily my favourite thing in this chapter. :)
Chapter 8: Rest Your Head Upon My Shoulder
Summary:
Slowly, so slowly he felt like he was imagining it, Hermione lowered herself until her head rested on his shoulder. A strange warm glow settled in him at the feeling - like that was where she belonged, tucked against him while he breathed in her vanilla scent.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
She hadn’t been there for the first few minutes of the match, caught up in her library tasks, but she’d hurried and joined the throngs of people watching the match. She usually watched Harry or Ron during the game, but she couldn’t take her eyes off Malfoy the entire time - her heart surged whenever he was winning or did an especially cool move.
In the end, Gryffindor won and she didn't miss the frustrated look on Draco’s face as he walked through the field. For a distracted moment, she noted how good he looked when there was sweat on his face and he ws breathing heavy.
It had been a close match - but Harry was an excellent seeker, she knew that. As Harry and Ron made their way to the changing rooms from the field, she ran up to them. She wrapped her arms around Harry. He hugged her back tightly.
“Well done Harry! You were great out there!” She smiled happily at him.
“Thanks, it was a tough match.”
“Well, seeing you up there- it was great.”
Harry raised an eyebrow. “I’m pretty sure your eye was on someone else this match…”
Hermione felt her cheeks heat and she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Harry I...”
Harry just smiled sweetly at her, whilst absentmindedly tossing his broom between both hands. “Hermione, it doesn’t bother me.” He cocked his head towards Ron who was standing a few metres away fixing his hair. “It’s Ron you should be worried about.”
She shook her head. “Malfoy and I aren’t...we’re not. ”
“Not yet?” he inquired.
“Not ever,” Hermione muttered. I certainly didn’t want to kiss you.
“Hermione if you want to talk about it, we can.” His gaze was understanding and warm and she was suddenly very grateful to have him as a friend. “It’s nothing,” she assured him. She hesitated. “Do you think I should go congratulate Ron?”
“Sure, we just won. Just because you’re not together doesn’t mean you can’t be happy for him.”
She flattened down her clothes and made her way over to Ron.
“Hi!”
For a small moment, he stared at her, a little speechless. They hadn’t spoken to each other much after the break up not because of resentment, but because it had felt awkward.
“I just wanted to congratulate you on winning. You were fantastic.”
He paused for a moment longer. “Thanks,” he said finally.
They both stared at each other a moment longer, not knowing what to say.
Hermione bent her knees a little and gave him an awkward smile. “Well, good seeing you. And talking to you.”
“Yeah.”
She nodded once again and then scurried off as fast as she could. After a few moments, she found a gathering of trees and a little giddy, she collapsed to the ground. She bunched a handful of grass between her fingers and pulled. Happiness and adrenaline coursed through her - though she wasn’t sure why. Perhaps it was the situation with Ron - she felt immature and silly for not being able to talk to him. No, that wasn’t true. He was the one who couldn’t speak to her. She was perfectly fine. She pictured his face when she had congratulated him and she burst into a fit of giggles. Deep down somewhere, she knew she was bitterly sad about the fact that she’d never have the guy she wanted, and the fact that she had never received the love she’d always craved. Not with Ron, not with anyone. But she kept laughing, tears leaking from her eyes.
“Granger?”
She snapped her head around, and of course, of course, it had to be Malfoy.
“Malfoy?” she said, still slightly laughing.
He tilted his head slightly and frowned. Merlins, why was that so attractive?
“Are you okay?”
She took a deep breath and then began laughing a little again. She looked wildly beautiful then.
“Yeah,” she said, nodding, “I’ve never been better.”
Her cheeks were rosy and her hair looked glossy and soft.
“You’re laughing on the ground in the middle of nowhere. Have you taken something?”
Surprisingly, she didn’t laugh at this and instead placed a hand on her stomach. She ran a hand over her face and through her hair. “No, Malfoy, I swear I’m okay. Thanks for checking up on me. “ She squinted her eyes to study him. “Were you following me?”
He paused and felt a little panicked - well shit. He had followed her. She giggled again - probably at his expression.
“It’s okay if you were, you know,” her eyes twinkled with amusement and he found himself drawn to those brown pupils.
Slowly, tentatively, he began walking close to her. She shot him a smile.
“Come sit,” she said, tapping the grass next to her enthusiastically
“Okay,” he agreed, and cautiously sat next to her on the grass. He noted how small she was compared to him. There was only a small strap of skin peeking between her skirt and her thigh high socks - but it drove him crazy. Everything about her drove him crazy.
She tilted her head to the sky. "How did you find the match?"
"We lost."
"Yes."
"Can we not talk about it?"
"Sure."
Draco let the quiet overtake him - the gentle breeze cooling the sweat pooling on his forehead, the friendly noises of birds, and the distant sound of Hogwarts chatter.
“I talked to Ron.”
He turned to look at her. “Yeah?”
"It was so…” A smile split her face. “ Awkward, ” she laughed eventually. “I don’t know how he used to be my boyfriend.”
She shook her head making one of her curls land on his jersey. His eyes trained on the sight but he didn’t push it away, revelling at how something of hers was indirectly touching him. It was nothing but it felt like something.
“Me neither,” he chuckled.
“Really?”
“I mean...I don’t exactly have high opinions of Weasley.”
She shifted to face him, smiling wide, her brown eyes sparkling. “And you have high opinions of me?”
“You’re better than Weasley so yeah.”
She scoffed and turned back to face the trees in front of them, staring ahead. “Well, I can’t argue with that.” Amused, he looked at her from the top of her head. He was staring at her but she had no clue that he was.
“You know, the day I got the dark mark, all I could think about was about how much I detested my cowardliness.”
He heard her breathing change but she didn’t say anything, letting him speak. He was confused at why'd he'd said that so he remained quiet for a few minutes, reflecting. But he decided to continue.
“But I didn’t really have a choice, right? Or did I? I could’ve done something. Fought back somehow. But I just let - I let everything happen.”
Slowly, so slowly he felt like he was imagining it, Hermione lowered herself until her head rested on his shoulder. A strange warm glow settled in him at the feeling - like that was where she belonged, tucked against him while he breathed in her vanilla scent.
He listened to the sound of her breathing and the slowness of it calmed the panic he felt at telling her all this. He didn’t know exactly why he had even brought this up but it felt right so he didn’t question it.
“I always think about how about alone I was. I keep thinking if only I had someone. To tell me things would be alright, that I was brave, that I was good. ” His next breath was shakier. “Obviously I take the blame and responsibility for my actions. But I also think about how young I was, how much I didn’t know. I just wish I could go back in time and tell myself to do things differently.”
She snuggled against his shoulder and he felt his heartbeat lower at how much comfort the action bought him.
“I hated myself for so long, rightfully so. And now- well,” he said, a dark chuckle escaping his mouth, “sometimes I still do.”
She lifted her head slightly from his shoulder and peeked up at him. “You can’t possibly still hate yourself for what happened years ago. We were all different then. We were put into situations we never should have been.”
“I know- but there are certain things I don’t think are forgivable, Granger.”
She sighed and nuzzled back onto him.
“Well if it changes anything, I forgive you.”
There was the weight of him on her shoulder - and that felt good. But there had been the fear that she was still secretly disgusted by the evil in him weighing on him. But she wasn’t. He felt lighter.
“Thank you,” he said finally.
He felt her smile against him. “You always forget that you didn’t identify us at Malfoy Manor. You weren’t all bad.”
Sadness swirled in him at the memory. “I guess.”
Silence passed for he didn’t know how long but the moment felt so right - and a calm washed over him.
“What are you wearing for the party tonight?”
She lifted her head from his shoulder and he felt the loss of her warmth immediately. “This really sexy black dress.”
He gulped. “Oh?”
“Yeah, I’m hoping it will help me with the whole exploring thing I’m trying out. You know?” She looked up at him through her eyelashes and twirled with a piece of grass nervously.
He cleared his throat. “Oh yes, that. How’s it going?”
“Well, apart from flirting with Blaise for a bit, absolutely nothing.” A small laugh escaped her. “I feel a little pathetic.”
“I don’t see why you’re struggling, Granger.”
Suddenly she was moving and lying down sideways on the grass, one hand to support her head and one draped over her stomach.
“What do you mean by that ?”
“Uh-” he faltered. Why the hell didn’t he think before he spoke. “Well, you’re an agreeable looking witch. It’s not that hard to find a guy to mess around with, surely.”
She huffed. “Agreeable?”
It was hard to avoid her gaze when she was staring at him like that. He tried to keep his eyes away from those legs of hers lying prettily against the grass.
He didn’t say anything, words stuck in his throat.
Disappointed, she began to get up. “I’m glad you think I’m agreeable.”
“Granger-”
A bubble of laughter escaped her. “I’m kidding Malfoy. No need to get so flustered.”
He shot her a weak grin in return. “Right.” just kidding, Malfoy.
As she set off, she called. "I look forward to seeing you at the party!"
Well, he definitely looked forward to seeing her in her dress. He could replay the moment where she had said 'sexy black dress' over and over in his head never get tired of it.
Notes:
this is very much *soft* dramoine, but next chapter will very much be more sexual tension between them!! maybe they'll even act on their desires...if you're lucky
Chapter 9: Little Black Dress
Summary:
She looked around the room and giggled. “I think I wanna kiss someone.” Her words were slurred and slow but somehow, they still made his chest ache.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Trying hard not to think about what Malfoy would think of her in her black dress, she made her way to the party. The dress cinched in at the waist and enhanced the curve of her hips. It wasn’t too short - much to Pansy’s disappointment - still resting at her knee, but the neckline of it...Well, her cleavage was on full display. The silk of the dress felt good over her skin but it didn’t help with the fact that she felt too exposed. She had to admit though - when she had looked in the mirror she had looked stunning. Her crystal earrings glimmered in the light and, paired with eye makeup that Pansy did for her, she looked like something out of a dream. It was safe to say, her plan to mess around with boys tonight wouldn’t be too difficult. She pushed the thought of Malfoy from her head quickly - she wasn’t worried about him. What would he think of her in this dress?
The party was only at a quiet hum when she arrived. The parties as they had grown older had gotten a lot more...well, scandalous. The dresses were shorter, the couples making out in corners were more aggressive, there were more drinks put out on tables, and just in general more craziness. So she had no idea what to expect tonight.
She spotted Draco leaning against a wall, a cup in hand as he talked calmly to Theo. She told herself she hadn’t been looking for him but she didn’t even scold herself for it because she was too focused on his shirt. His very much unbuttoned shirt. The white silk shirt had only two buttons done, the ones right at the bottom, giving a perfect glimpse of the toned skin of his chest and stomach. Her heart stopped at the sight - desire shooting through her. Stop that.
She didn’t mean to surprise him but suddenly she was behind him and he turned around with a small yelp. He laughed when he realised it was her. He was grinning - it suited him.
“Merlin, Granger. You almost made me spill my drink.” Then his eyes widened, as he raked his gaze over her body. She felt herself heat at the way he was looking at her like he was drinking in every curve and dip of her body.
“Do...do you like my dress?” She knew that wasn’t how things were done, she shouldn’t be begging compliments off him. But she had to know what he thought - it was important.
His eyes fluttered close and he made a sound. “Yeah, you look...great. Definitely going to help you with your exploring tonight.” He raised a suggestive eyebrow at her.
She felt her cheeks heat and impulsively, she grabbed the cup from his hand and downed whatever drink was in it. She licked her lips.
Draco just chuckled. “Planning on getting wasted tonight, Granger?”
“You bet,” she said, confidence she didn’t think she had glowing from her.
“Well, good. You deserve a break from all the hard work you’ve been doing.” He pushed his sleeve loosely over his arm. Hermione tried not to look at his enticing forearm, the hard plane of his chest which was right in front of her but it was too hard to resist. Her eyes were practically glued to his skin and she hoped he didn't notice her ogling.
“Thanks, so do you.”
He flashed a grin at her. “So, Granger. Do you think I look dashing enough to impress a lady tonight?”
She rolled her eyes. “You don’t need me to answer that.”
“Very good answer, Granger. You are correct. I can get any lady I want in here.”
She huffed. “I don’t need to be reminded, Malfoy.”
“Well,” he said his heated gaze returning to rest on her collarbones “with the way you’re looking tonight, you can get any wizard in here.”
She looked up at him and pursed her lips. Her skin felt hot, too hot. He held her gaze with intensity.
“I’m going to find Pansy,” she said finally, needing to be anywhere but under his gaze. What did he want? Clearly not her, so why would he say something like that? To mess with her? Well, it was very much working. With the way desires were swirling inside of her, she was very much a mess. Over him. Over that handsome face, that smooth, toned skin. That stupid, beautiful grin that she wanted to kiss.
Merlin, she needed a drink.
Hermione didn’t know how much she’d had to drink - she couldn’t think straight. She was aware that Malfoy was enthusiastic about the idea of her with other wizards - instead of frustrated like she wanted him to be. She was aware that there was a growing feeling of sickness and dizziness inside of her. She was aware of music playing somewhere and the burning image of a practically shirtless Malfoy. She felt drunk - no she was drunk, so very drunk. She bumped into someone’s chest and mumbled a sorry. It was only when she looked up did she distantly realise it was Malfoy.
“Huh?”
God, he’d never seen like this. Her skin looked pale, her eyes were unfocused and she was slurring all her words. She practically stumbled into him and he hissed at the feeling of her body against his - even for just a brief second. He pulled up by her wrists gently and looked at her.
She was still absolutely stunning in that dress, that hugged in all the right places, that made her look like something out of his dreams. Every time he had looked at her that night, which had been a lot, he burned with the desire to take that dress right there and-
Nope, he wouldn't let his thoughts stray so far. Still, she was stunning - so stunning. So beautiful.
“Granger, speak to me.”
“You look unbearable tonight,” she slurred.
“Unbearable?” He shook his head. “You know what, forget it. You need to stop drinking.” He began to take the cup from her hand.
“No!” she whined. “I like my drink,” she smiled funnily at him. “I like it a lottt.” She began to chug some more down.
This time he forcefully took the cup from her mouth, some of it spilling down her chin. Her mascara was smudged around her eyes and she looked at him a little disgusted.
“You can’t just take my drink you know.”
“I can, and I have. Now lean on me so I can get you to sit down somewhere.”
“No!” she complained again “I don’t want you to…”
He began putting her arm around her shoulder so he could move.
“I don’t want you to move me.”
He looked at her, serious. “Why?”
Her voice was shy. “Ron...Ron will see.”
He sighed, tired. “I don’t care, now come on.” He tried moving again but she shoved against him. “Ron’s the only guy who wanted me.”
He closed his eyes.
“Granger-”
“Granger, Granger, Granger. You’re so boring.” She looked around the room and giggled. “I think I wanna kiss someone.” Her words were slurred and slow but somehow, they still made his chest ache.
Just as he began to manoeuvre her to a quieter part of the hall, he heard Weasley’s voice behind him. “Malfoy, what the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
“Hermione’s drunk. I’m trying to help. What else do you think I’m doing?” he answered, annoyed. Why did Weasely have to show up? Quietly, he noted quietly that he’d
called her Hermione but it didn’t matter because she was too drunk to notice.
Ron’s eyes went to Draco’s hand on her bare shoulder and one around her waist.
“And she’s letting you?”
“Yes,” he said tersely. “She’s too drunk to care, Weasely.”
“Well, let me help her instead.”
“No.”
“What do you bloody mean no? I’m pretty sure she’d want her boyfriend to touch her more than..” Ron looked at Malfoy with disgust. “You.”
“Granger told me you broke up you know. Now leave us alone.“
Ron clenched his first. “I don’t care, Malfoy. Let go of her. She doesn’t want your filthy hands all over her.”
“You don’t know that.”
Ron’s eyes were blazing fire. “Yes, I do know that. Hermione doesn’t want a guy who's been nothing but a jerk to her to touch her."
"Actually,” Hermione spoke slowly, who had probably only caught the last bits of the conversation. She trailed off...Draco wanted her to finish the sentence but he was shocked when drunkenly, she skimmed her lips against the side of his mouth. For one electrifying moment, his heart stuttered, his eyes closed and he breathed in the allure of her wine tasting mouth. Those red lips of hers.
Then she was slumping again, needing him to support her.
Ron just looked at him with disgust. “She’s drunk,” he sputtered, “My Hermione would never do that. She-” He shook his head.
“There is no your Hermione anymore, get that in your head, Weasley.” He grinned evilly at him and felt a surge of triumph. Granger didn’t mind his touch. She trusted him. That felt good.
Draco finally had gotten her to a quieter part of the hall and sat her down. He handed her a vial.
Her head was hung in her hands and she mumbled. “What’s that?”
“Uh, its to help. With your state. I don’t have enough of it to completely get rid of your drunkness, but it’ll help with nausea.”
She tipped her head back and chugged it down. The light caught on her collarbones. He was staring at her, those wonderful breasts of her. He wondered what it would be like to touch them, suck them, kiss them. He’d had a little to drink so that must be why he was thinking these things, why he felt hot and bothered at the simple thought of Hermione Granger’s chest.
Draco stayed with her as she regained health. She sat on the edge of a sofa, while he sat on the other. Ten minutes or more passed when she sat up straight. His heart tumbled in his chest.
“I feel..” she trailed off. And then giggled. “Still pretty drunk.” She threw him a sweet look. “But better. Thanks, Malfoy.”
“Anytime, granger.”
She got to her feet steadily. “I’m going to find Pansy,”
Merlin, why was she desperate to get away from him tonight? She was the one who’d just kissed his cheek. She’s drunk. He watched her disappear in the excitement of the party - he watched her go. Maybe - maybe if he’d just kissed her in the library that day. She would have been his. But no - he knew she would end up scared of how fucked up he was and break off things with him days later - saying that he was too shit, too unloving, too mean, too full of himself. That she'd found a better man, one who treated with all the love he could never give her. And she'd leave him and then he wouldn’t even have her friendship - the calm her presence bought him. A calm he was finding he couldn't live without.
Hermione was excited for the after-party. They crowded in the upper room which had blue carpets and was very dimly lit. She didn’t know how late it was but bodies had clambered upstairs, she had heard that it was almost 2 am. There had to be at least 20 of them, all clumsily moving limbs. The drinks had been put away but everyone was a little drunk - some more than others.
Everything felt blurry, warm, and good.
Hermione was a little excited for the seven minutes of heaven game, wondering where it would lead her and with which wizard. They sat in an excuse of a circle, a green glass bottle in the middle. Pansy grinned at Hermione. “This is going to be so much fun.”
For a hazy half an hour, Hermione just watched people being coupled off and being sent into the closet. She was entertained when she watched Harry spinning the bottle and it landing on Pansy. Needless to say, they both looked extremely flushed when they emerged from the sweaty closet - but both denied they’d done anything in that room. Yeah right.
Hermione was getting increasingly curious as to who she’d end up with in that sweaty closet.
Draco had never felt so pathetic in his life - he was hoping, hoping with everything in him that it would land on Granger. In every other aspect of his life, touching and kissing her would always lead to some sort of responsibility. But if she spun the bottle and it landed on him, whatever happened in that closet could be blamed on close proximity and drunkenness and the fact this was a game, in the end. It was perfect - he got to have her without the commitment. And god, did he want her.
Hermione spun the bottle.
It didn’t land on him. Of course, it didn’t land on him, his luck would have to be astronomical for something so perfect to happen.
It landed on Dean Thomas who looked quite pleased with the situation - of course he was excited. She didn’t look at him as they walked together as everyone else clapped and cheered. His heart burned in his chest as the door closed. He held his breath. Minutes passed and all he could make out was the sound of muffled slow voices.
What if he was touching her.
What if right now he was tracing patterns on her skin, kissing her lips, having her hair in his fingers, as she gasped for oxygen. Her perfect body. Pressed against him. He groaned inwardly. What wizard would be able to resist her in that dress? That dress that showed off her fantastic shoulders and collarbones and breasts. He was almost hard at the thought of them but his desire was replaced by pain when he thought of Dean’s hands on her body, claiming her. Evoking sounds from her that were only meant for him.
Shit.
His possessiveness and jealousy had crawled out of him and he was so clouded by these emotions, he couldn’t begin to care about how unfair he was for thinking these things.
Far too many minutes later, Hermione and Dean emerged from the closet. Hermione was smiling sweetly at Dean but she looked pretty much the same, and so did he. No ruffled clothes or flushed cheeks or red, bitten lips.
Good.
Relief swept through him so fast he felt dizzy. She caught him looking and then her eyes darkened. She spun her face to Dean’s. “That was fun,” she said, raising an eyebrow.
“Yeah, real fun.” Dean nodded back enthusiastically.
His heart dropped.
Real fun. Images of them together burned through him at lightning speed and he was so furious, so angry. Rage burned through him like fire and he was being consumed by the heat every time he looked at her or Dean. His hands on her skin. Every piece of him wanted to tear Dean’s body into pieces and then take Hermione right there and kiss the life out of her.
Annoyed it wasn’t socially acceptable to do anything like that, he brushed away whoever’s hands were on the bottle. “I’m spinning,” he grits out. He spun. How would Granger like it if he kissed another girl? She probably wouldn’t care because she doesn’t want you anymore he thought dimly. He was sure that day in the library she had wanted him. But after his rejection, she’d clearly lost any kind of feelings she’d had and instead moved on to kissing Dean Thomas and doing merlin knows what.
The bottle spun. And then spun. And then it landed.
On Hermione Granger.
Notes:
very excited for the next chapter and hope you are too!!
Chapter 10: Seven Minutes In Heaven
Summary:
“Are you scared?”
She watched the hypnotic sight of his chest rising and falling.
“Why would I be scared, Granger?”
Then, more silence.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
The bottle landed on her.
In that moment, everything came rushing forward to Hermione - every small moment they’d had up until then would come to confront her in that closet, where there was no avoiding the memories of yearning gazes and the lightest of touches between them. It was so easy to pretend that every tiny tension-filled moment that had happened between them had been a joke, a fluke, something to forget about and dismiss as stupid.
But as she walked over to the closet, pretending to smile - because this was so ridiculous - she could no longer ignore the truth of it - her attachment to Draco ran deep, deeper than she ever wanted to admit out loud.
She noticed Draco looked a little angry, probably because of what she’d said to Dean after they’d emerged earlier. She’d done it to rile him up, and it might have worked with the way his jaw was clenched but it could just be the alcohol in his system - that was probably it. Hermione still felt pretty drunk from before but the good kind, where things seemed a little softer and more beautiful.
She heard the yelps and whoops of her friends as she closed the closet door and sat down in the squished, dark place. She felt Draco next to her, equally as cramped in the small space.
Then, it was just them.
It was so quiet in there that Hermione was sure he could hear her pounding heart, could hear the trickle of sweat making its way down her back.
“Hi,” she whispered.
Oh god oh god oh god this is so bad.
He was facing her and even in the dark, he was beautiful. Breathtakingly so. Their eyes met.
“Hi,” he said back, his voice low.
“Are you scared?”
She watched the hypnotic sight of his chest rising and falling.
“Why would I be scared, Granger?”
Then, more silence.
Hermione’s spoke. “We don’t have to-”
“We could-” Draco paused.
“Sorry,” she said, “you go first.”
“We could...if you want. It doesn’t have to mean anything.”
She regarded him a little woozily. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” she said finally.
“You could see how well I compete with Dean,” he suggested, innocently.
A giggle escaped her. “Do you think me and Dean really made out?”
“No,” he said quickly.
“You sure?” her voice high and teasing.
She swept her hand through her hair and the back down her neck, resting on her collarbones. His eyes tracked the movements, his gaze heated.
The rules of real-life fell to the ground, the walls she’d put up came collapsing to the floor - she could worry about those things later. They were already so close, so she began to move on top of his lap, her hand on his knees and then on his shoulders. She realised the absolute absurdity of the situation then - that she was straddling Draco Malfoy in a sweaty closet, but she pushed all logic to the back of her mind. Which wasn’t hard with the drink in her system, and the lure of his sweet, earthy smell.
She was face to face with him but he determinedly fixed his eyes at a point above her head so he didn't have to look at her.
His voice was a growl. “No, I’m not sure.”
“Would you hate it?” she said in a teasing voice. “Would you hate it if he had been touching me? Kissing me?”
Malfoy’s hands were on either side of him on the floor, not touching her, but his arm twitched - did he want to touch her? Was he resisting the urge?
“I don’t care Granger. I just know I’m better than him.”
“Show me,” she whispered as she spread her palm over his bare chest.
His breath caught and he responded by bringing his arms up so his hands skimmed the very edges of her waist, barely touching her but suddenly, everything was hot and electric and she was dizzy with lust for him.
His toned muscles, his beautiful skin, those haunting eyes, the burning touch of those hands.
Her voice was a dare. “Show me you’re better than him.”
His resolve broke. His hands grabbed onto her waist, aggressive and harsh, and he pulled her closer on his lap and she gasped when she felt his erection.
“Do you feel what you do to me?” His voice was slow, deep and beautiful and the way he was speaking gave her the urge to rub her thighs together.
She nodded, speechless.
He was looking right into her eyes now and she had never felt so vulnerable, so turned on.
“Do you want this, Granger?” He was demanding, furious when he spoke.
There was something delicious building here and she didn’t know if she could contain her desire for him any longer.
So slow she couldn’t believe she was allowing this, she nodded.
“I’m not going to kiss you - not on the mouth”
She was nodding - cursing herself inwardly for ever mentioning that mouth kisses were romantic for her - and then he was pulling her impossibly closer on his lap, lowering his mouth to her neck as he brushed his lips sweetly, briefly over her collarbone. It was the smallest of touches, the lightest of kisses, and yet she was giddy with the feeling of it. She wriggled and tangled her fingers in his hair. Merlin, she’d always wanted to do that.
“More,” she pleaded, her voice breathy and faint. He hadn’t even done anything yet but with the feeling of his big hands holding onto her waist and his mouth brushing on her neck, she was a goner.
She felt him smile against her neck.
He murmured something like anything you want and then he was placing wet, furious, small kisses all over her neck, trailing his lips all the way down from her throat to her chest. Hermione felt heat all over, and she bit her lip to stop a moan escaping. She was so drunk and so addicted to the feeling of him that she didn’t think about the consequences of anything they were doing - she just knew it felt so good.
She threw her head back, baring the column of her neck to him. He made a low, throaty noise and his kisses became more aggressive, more intense. He was devouring her, ravishing her like he couldn’t have enough. Intense heat, overwhelming need, delicious kisses, the delightful scrape of his teeth, the beautiful press of his mouth against her skin - and that tongue of his - it was almost too much.
Everything felt loud and bright and perfect. She needed him - nothing else in the world existed but this moment, him and her.
His mouth went over the cloth that covered her breasts, and she couldn’t stop the whimper that escaped her.
He paused and looked up at her earnestly. “Granger, you can tell me to stop.”
“No,” she bit out, her eyes closed, as she trembled with desire, “keep going.”
It was all he needed to hear - his mouth closed deliciously over her nipple through the flimsy cloth of her dress, and he bought his other hand up to fondle her other breast. It was overwhelming, his tongue and his hand bringing her a sweet, intense feeling.
No one had ever done this to her before.
“Malfoy,” she whined as her finger's gripped his hair tighter - but he only continued.
“You have wonderful tits, Granger. Always wondered what they would feel like underneath me.”
She gasped.
“Do you like this? Do you like my hands and my mouth on you? Have you been dreaming of it?”
“Yes,” she breathed. “Yes, Malfoy. Please.”
There was a knocking on the door.
Draco paused and bought himself up to look at her.
“Time’s up! Get out of there lovebirds!”
She saw the lust she felt reflected in his eyes.
“Shit,” she muttered.
What had just happened?
She slid off his lap, readjusted her dress, and then stood up quickly.
“Shit,” she said again.
Draco seemed just as lost as her. She knew she probably looked a mess - and that Ron, and everyone else, would know what they had done. As they emerged from the closet, she blinked rapidly as she took in reality - the world still existed and she had just let Draco Malfoy kiss her.
Before she had to think too much about what had just happened and before she even tried to spend the rest of the night feigning normalcy and talking to people as if she hadn’t just had an intense session with Draco, she apologised and said she had to leave - she wasn’t feeling good.
The opposite was true - she felt like she was on cloud nine, in a temporary sort of bliss, with desire pulsing through her.
Everything was a blur when she made it to her own room, and she fell into a restless sleep, the feeling of Draco’s mouth on her skin lingering in her mind and her dreams.
Notes:
ahhh i'm so nervous to post this chapter but also so excited to have finally gotten to this point in the story!! let me know what you think!!!
Chapter 11: With You, It Feels Right
Summary:
“Yeah..” she sighed, remembering last night vividly. His skilful tongue, his large hands on her body, the feeling of her hands in his hair.
“Well, we’re going to need to do a spell to get rid of them,” Hermione said finally.
“Draco will be disappointed.”
“I don’t care what he thinks!”
“Leave one, just for him to see. Right here on your shoulder.”
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Last night had been a mistake, she told herself as she got up for the day, as she brushed her teeth, made her bed, drew the curtains. A big, big mistake. And then she looked in the mirror and noticed them.
Love bites.
Draco Malfoy had given her love bites! All over her neck! She knew she’d been consenting but for some reason, she’d expected last night to be slipped away into the past - that she wouldn’t have to think about it again. Who are you kidding? You’re not going to be able to think about anything else for at least the next week.
Gingerly, she brought her fingers to the red marks painted across her neck and chest area. She needed to call for Pansy - this had all of a sudden become too real.
She knew she needed to remove them immediately - the last thing she wanted was weird looks and creepy stares at her all day. Harry or Ron were sure to bring them up somehow if she left them there, and she wouldn’t even know how to begin to answer. Yeah, so you know how last night Draco and I were locked in a closet together and no one thought anything would happen because we used to hate each other and it would be so absurd, so ridiculous. Well yeah anyway he gave me these love bites. And I actually quite like the look of them. Anyways, how are you doing Harry?
Before she called for Pansy, she couldn’t help but think how much she didn’t want to be ridden of them. They were a sign that he had wanted her - and that meant more to her than she could bear.
Draco was at breakfast whilst his friends engaged in conversation about the quidditch match and the party yesterday. Truth be told, he was a little hungover, and he was very, very distracted. Hermione Granger. How did everything lead back to her? How come every time he tried to think about anything else his mind brought him back the moments they’d shared in the closet?
Pansy gasped when she saw the state of Hermione’s neck. Then she laughed.
“It’s not funny!” Hermione protested.
Regaining her composure, Pansy walked over and inspected Hermione. “No, it's not. Who gave these to you?”
Hermione had been holding back on telling Pansy anything about her and Draco this past week - in fear that Pansy would make it seem like she had a chance - she didn’t want the false hope. So she’d kept everything to herself - insisting nothing was happening at the library dates, or after quidditch matche s. Pansy had been sceptical but hadn’t pushed her.
“Draco gave them to me.”
At that Pansy squealed. “No! I mean, yes. But...you told me…”
“I know,” Hermione. “But at the party last night-”
“Ah of course. When you were in the closet together.”
“Yeah..” she sighed, remembering last night vividly. His skilful tongue, his large hands on her body, the feeling of her hands in his hair.
“Well, we’re going to need to do a spell to get rid of them,” Hermione said finally.
“Draco will be disappointed.”
“I don’t care what he thinks!”
“Leave one, just for him to see. Right here on your shoulder.”
“But other people are going to see it!”
“So? All that matters is that he sees it, it’ll drive him mad Mione.”
“What if someone else asks about it?”
“Make up an excuse, you’re good at that. You could always say it was Dean.”
Hermione scoffed but didn't protest any further.
He spotted her coming in - a little late - to the breakfast table and his eyes tracked her every move. She didn’t look over at his table - why would she? - but then his eyes caught something. The almost bruise-coloured mark on her left shoulder. She hadn’t gotten rid of it. The thought drove him wild. He wanted to press her up against the dining table right now and fuck her so hard she forgot her own name.
Shit.
He needed to get a grip.
But then she looked up, catching him staring right at her.
Normally, he would stare back, just for fun, just to see her squirm, but he was losing his mind so he quickly looked away. He didn’t look at her for the rest of breakfast - his mind was preoccupied. Those moments in that dark cramped place yesterday. Her gorgeous breasts right in front of his face, her throat bared to him, her hair cascading over her shoulders and back.
How would he talk to her when all he could think about was taking off all her clothes and fucking her? Would she act normal the next time they spoke? Would she completely ignore him? Would she bring it up - want to take it further? He entertained the idea - her underneath him in his bed, how it would be.
No, he couldn’t do this at the breakfast table. Scratch that, he could never do this - fantasize about her like one day it might actually happen. Because it wouldn’t - he would make sure that never happened. Fucking Granger would be like - heaven. It would be wrong, he told himself. But merlin, imagine what she’d feel like clenched around your-
Draco groaned inwardly. This wasn’t working.
He’d been a mess since last night, ever since they’d had those seven minutes together - those hellish, perfect moments. He’d wanted to live inside that closet forever - reality and day to day life was dull in comparison. In comparison to those brown, twinkling eyes of hers. He’d already wanked in the shower this morning and yet he found himself needing release again. He was entirely too horny to function normally.
Hermione decided to ignore Draco until next Saturday which is when she’d have to talk to him again - at the library. She didn’t think she’d be able to talk to him or look him in the eyes, without her mind replaying last night’s events over and over again.
Her plan, after two days of actively avoiding him, wasn’t working. He rushed after her after she emerged from a classroom.
“Granger,” he shouted.
She walked faster but he caught up. She turned around, flustered. “What?”
“Why are you ignoring me?”
“I’m not.”
“We haven’t spoken in two days.”
"And?" She tried to turn away from him but he twisted her around.
“Look, can we talk about this?” She'd never seen him so serious.
“I already know what you’re going to say. You were drunk, it was a game, it was a mistake. I’ve heard it all before.”
Well, that wasn’t too far from what he was going to say to her - was he that predictable?
“That’s not what I was going to say.”
She crossed her arms over her chest and looked at him with a clenched jaw. “Then, what were you going to say? I'm listening”
He stuttered and came up empty.
She sighed. “See you on Saturday, Malfoy.”
Draco missed her presence greatly - in meals, when hanging out with his friends, in quidditch practice. Sometimes, but only sometimes, he thought about her voice when she’d asked - no pleaded , for more - how he would do anything to have her beneath him again, making those sounds . Most of the time, however, he would miss the simple conversation he had with her, the way she smiled at him like he was worth her company. No one else made him that happy and he’d gone and ruined everything. He was so endlessly frustrated with himself but he knew he could fix this. He’d talk to her on Saturday, convince her to go back to how things were before. Before that drunken, stupid, mesmerising night.
Saturday took too long to come and yet came all too quickly. Draco hoped it would be easy to talk to her - like it always was, and wasn’t mind shatteringly nerve-wracking.
He was leafing through a book when she arrived and looked up. She looked gorgeous as always, and as always, he had a hard time keeping his eyes focused on just her face . Her eyes widening when she realised how hard he was, her hands and fingers tangled in his hair. The breathy sounds she’d made, Her olive skin against his mouth. Her nipple in his mouth.
“Hi.” was all he managed to say.
She didn’t smile at him, but she didn’t seem angry at him. Instead of responding, she took her seat on the couch next to him and got to work. The silence usually comforted him but today, the tension in the room was driving him crazy.
It was too much - he got up and walked over to a bookshelf. He couldn’t be near her like this - when she wasn’t speaking to him like usual. For a few minutes, he lost himself between the books - but then he heard a shuffling sound. He turned.
“Can I help you with something?” his eyes drifted to her neck, where he’d kissed her. The way she’d writhed under him as he’d planted kisses across her olive skin.
“Can we talk about it?”
He didn’t even try and feign innocence - he wanted to talk about it too. “The party?”
“Yes, Malfoy, the party.” She was standing directly in front of him and there wasn’t much space between the two bookshelves, so they were close.
“What do you want to talk about, exactly?” Merlin, he was having a hard time keeping himself composed.
Merlin, she was nervous. She had no idea what she’d say and was scared any moment now she’d say the wrong thing and scare him off forever. “Uhm the bit in the closet.”
“Granger, we were both drunk. I think we should leave that in the past. If we could just go back to-”
“Leave it in the past?” her voice was disbelieving.
“That’s what I said, no?”
She huffed in frustration. “Malfoy, you have to understand. I’ve never done anything like that before!”
He raised an eyebrow. “No one’s ever given you love bites?” he smirked smugly.
“No!” she exclaimed hotly. “Well, I mean I’ve never had that many. But what I mean is That. What we did- It has never felt like that before. ”
He turned his head away from her and took a deep breath. “Well, I’m glad to know you enjoyed it, Granger,” He crossed his arms over his chest. “Now, what do you want from me?”
“I-I don’t know,” she said, exasperated.
“Then I suggest we forget about it.”
“Why? Your raging hard-on tells me you enjoyed it as well.”
He let out a sharp laugh. “That’s just biology, Granger. Any man would react like that with a scantily clad witch straddling him.”
“Keep your voice down!” she hissed. “If I recall correctly you were hard before we’d even kissed.” She was smug when she said it.
His face was flushed. “Alright, I was horny as fuck. So what?”
“So - So. So you wanted me!”
He cocked his head. “And?”
“Well,” she said, taking a confident step towards him. “Don’t you want to do it again?” Her voice dropped in pitch. “This time uninterrupted .”
“Are you asking for sex? ”
Her face flushed. “ No. No. I just meant - we could…” she stuttered, unsure exactly what she wanted.
This time, he took a step towards her so now they were so close he could see the rise and fall of her chest.
He bent his head to whisper to her. “We could what, Granger? You’re not so good with words now it comes down to it. What do you want me to do? I could touch those marvelous tits of yours. Circle them with my tongue and have you begging for release. Or.” he said, leaning into her ear, whispering “I could put my fingers in your hot cunt and find out how wet you are for me. Would you like that? Is this what you want, Granger ?” his voice was pure fury and his breath on her skin made her shiver involuntary.
Her breaths were erratic - no one had ever spoken to her like that. She couldn’t say anything - couldn’t think with him this close, everything about him so far off-limits and yet so intoxicating.
Realising she wouldn’t respond, he pulled back and smiled. “That’s what I thought. Did I scare you Granger? This is why I said we should forget it. It's better that way. You’re too much of a prude for me.”
She snapped out of her lust-filled trance. “I am not a prude.”
“Prove it.” the words slipped from his mouth - and he bit his lip as if he hadn’t meant to say it.
Now here was a challenge she wouldn’t back down from?
Maintaining eye contact with him, she reached down between his legs, and with shaky hands palmed his erection.
Pleasure rolled through him. “Fuck,” he breathed out. She stared at him for a second, almost in disbelief.
“You’re hard.”
“Are you surprised?”
“You- we haven’t even touched.’
“No, we haven’t. But just a second ago I was staring at this gorgeous, delicious-looking neck.”
She inhaled sharply.
“And that was quite a sight, Granger.”
“So I- this turns you on?” she choked out.
“Believe it or not, getting a boner isn’t always triggered by something sexual. It can happen randomly.”
“I know that.”
“Then why are you surprised?”
“You act like you don’t want me.”
“I don’t.”
She stared at the bulge in his trousers. “Your body is saying something very different.”
He ran a frustrated hand through hair. “Fuck. Yes , Granger. You turn me on. You drive me absolutely mad. But we can’t do this. Last night was...I was angry, drunk. Not thinking straight.”
“Why angry?”
“None of your business.”
“Because of Dean?”
“No, Not because of Dean.”
“Because the idea of him touching me in that closet was more than you could bear?”
“Granger-”
“We only kissed and it was brief.”
His eyes widened. “But-”
“I just said that we had fun to get a reaction out of you.” She looked him up and down. “Clearly, it worked.”
“Why didn’t you go further with him?”
“Because it didn’t feel right,” she admitted.
“But with me-” He shook his head, realising what she was getting at. “Granger don’t- you can’t-”
“It’s true, Malfoy” she exclaimed desperately. “With everyone else, it feels...lukewarm almost. With you, it feels right, good, so good . You’re the only one who makes me feel like that.”
He was shaking his head in disbelief. “I’m not doing this. I can’t.”
She grabbed onto his arm. “Why not?”
“Because I don’t want to, Granger.” He shook his arm forcefully free from her grip. “Is that not enough for you?”
“But you want me , clearly.”
He resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “I want a lot of witches, you’re not special.”
He didn’t apologize, even though he could see how hurt she was and desperately wanted to take the words back. But this had been exactly what he had been afraid of, her wanting, expecting more. The spin the bottle game had been a mistake. Everything with her was a mistake - it would only have a sad ending.
She looked up at him. “I thought-”
“Well, you thought wrong. I told you I didn’t want more, Granger. I thought we were on the same page.”
“We were! We are!”
“Then drop the subject! Forget that night ever happened!”
“How can I?” she said, her voice rising. “How can I go back to being your friend when you gave me one of the best nights of my life ?”
His voice was a growl. “Don’t say things you don’t mean.”
She shook her head. “It’s the truth, Malfoy. The things you did to me- I never wanted it to stop. I couldn’t stop thinking about what would happen if we hadn’t gotten interrupted if we had more time-”
He made a frustrated, angry noise - images of her sliding her dress down, her bare skin, her parting her legs for him. “Just stop, Granger. I told you all I want is your friendship. Stop making this difficult.”
She paused. “Fine,” she said finally. “I’ll forget it happened. We’ll continue being friends.”
His gaze softened. “Thank you,” he whispered. “Thank you so much, Granger. You don’t know how much it means to me.” And then, without meaning to, he was enveloping her into a hug, so grateful that she’d still be here in his life because if she ever went, he thought he might die from the pain. He needed her.
Hesitantly and heavily confused, she hugged him back.
Notes:
this chapter is a little longer than usual - but i hope you enjoyed it!! draco and hermione hugging makes me so soft i love them so much ;)
Chapter 12: Stay
Summary:
When she finally pulled away, she whispered in a shaky voice. “Stay.” Her voice was laced with vulnerability and hope - and something else he couldn't place.
He hesitated.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
It was late evening and as they ate dinner, McGonagall quieted them all to make some important announcements. The camping trip came as a surprise to all of them - and it completely threw Hermione off.
She spoke out of turn, partly surprising the rest of the year. “But why? I simply don’t understand the purpose.”
McGonagall sighed a little. “Hermione I understand that you don’t have the best experience...with tents and camping out in woods. But I can promise this will be a safe, important activity for everyone - and hopefully, will encourage bonding between the houses. This is a time for all of us to unite with each other in a way we haven’t before. I hope you’re looking forward to it as much as I am.”
Hermione felt like kicking something - an irrational fear rose up in her. She no longer had nightmares like right after the war - she had started taking nightly potions for that - but she had a feeling that they wouldn’t block out the memories of being hunted by Voldemort, fearing for her life everyday out in the woods. She refused to relive a single minute of those times. Things were finally getting better for her - she no longer felt incessantly haunted by those memories. Of course, she had moments where she relapsed - where she was living through the battle again, where she saw the sadness in her parent’s eyes as she obliviated them.
Her palms felt clammy. She realised that the rest of her year was still there, but she stood up hastily. “I have to go,” she muttered - no one heard but they all watched her intently as she rushed her out of the room.
Draco watched her scurry out of The Great Hall and he immediately wanted to follow - but how would that look to everyone? Hermione’s hurting and all you care about is about your reputation. You’re better than this. Fuck it, he got up, his chair scraping across the floor. In the dim glow of the lanterns in the hall, everyone turned to look at him. Goodness. He quickly strode out of the room. McGonagall looked at him a little surprised but continued addressing the year calmly.
He knew where Hermione - since when did he refer to her as that? - would be: the library. It was a place that calmed her, bought her peace and he walked as fast as he could. He discovered her curled up on a leather couch, her head tucked into her neck.
“Granger,” he murmured softly. She looked up at him through her curls, which cascaded in beautiful waves over her shoulders and back.
“What are you doing here?” she murmured quietly. Her voice sounded like she was on the edge of tears and his heart broke a little.
“I came to find you,” he answered honestly.
“I would much rather be left alone.” Her voice was still muffled as she was pressed into herself.
He slowly walked over and then sat next to her, him sitting up on the couch and her feet almost touching his thighs. “You don’t have to go, Granger. You could always stay.”
“And look like a coward?”
“No one will think you’re a coward.”
“I don’t want to stay in a lonely Hogwarts.”
“It won’t be lonely. All the other years will still be here.”
She peeked up at him and shook her head. “You don’t get it.”
He felt a twinge of pain in his chest. “Then explain it to me.”
She was quiet for a bit and then she spoke. “I know I don’t have to go. It’s that I want to go. I want to be strong enough that it doesn’t affect me. I hate that it does.”
“Granger, you’re the bravest witch I know.”
“Yeah?”
“Without you, I don’t even know if Voldemort would be dead. You’re smart and so, so clever. And bold. And brave, so brave Granger. Have you forgotten that?”
She was quiet for a bit and then he realised the arm of her sweater was wet.
“Are you crying?” His voice was small and gentle.
She hiccuped a laugh. “What do you think?”
Tentatively, he placed his hand on her arm and squeezed. “Are you crying because of what I said or…”
“I’m not sure why I’m crying, Malfoy.” She sounded like she was smiling.
“Well, if you do decide not to go - I’ll stay with you.” he hadn’t exactly planned on saying that but it felt right to say.
At that she sat up, dabbing her eyes with her sleeves. She looked at him with bloodshot eyes. “For real?”
“Yeah, I wouldn’t want you to be all alone.”
She smiled and he thought he would have burnt cities down to make her smile like that again. “Thank you. But I think I’m going to go. I wouldn’t want you to miss out on the fun.”
“Being here with you sounds like fun enough to me.”
She was sad again. “No.” She shook her head. “I have to face my fears.”
He put an arm around her and began rubbing circles on her shoulder. “See what I mean? Bravest witch I know.”
She leaned into him and rested her head on his shoulder, and he pulled her closer so she could cuddle up against him properly. They sat there for he didn’t know how long - he just knew he had to be there for her, at that moment, because she needed comfort. He could get used to the feeling of her head on his shoulder.
McGonagall had only given them two days to prepare for the trip. Every time Hermione would think about it she would dig her nails into a palm until it left marks, until it was painful. But for those two days, Malfoy came to her in the library and simply just sat with her, or distracted her with a story from their early years at Hogwarts. It worked to keep her mind off other things - and he was funny when he wanted to be. Those moments with him - well, hours - where he’d optionally spend time with her felt so good, and so warm. They calmed her down.
On that Friday night, in groups, they apparated to the forest they would be staying in for three days. It was around 7:00pm when most groups had finished setting up their tents. She hadn’t seen Draco for the whole day, they’d both been busy - him with doing the actual things they’d been assigned, her worrying. Things had been fine so far - she hadn’t panicked or burst into an uncontrollable fit of tears - that was surely a win.
The year had been split up into groups of twenty - not by houses, but by whoever McGonagall thought was compatible. Luckily, she’d been placed with practically all her friends, including Draco.
Slughorn, the teacher assigned to their group, brought them together to sit around a fire he’d lit with his wand. He called them over and everyone groaned, tired from setting up tents and the stress of the trip - everyone just wanted to go to their tents and sleep.
“You should be appreciating this folks! This is the only night you’ll be able to relax - tomorrow you’ll be up doing lots of activities.”
Everyone reluctantly sat around the fire. Hermione chose her seat next to Pansy, and Harry instead of sitting next to her, sat next to Pansy. That meant no one was sitting to her right. Draco had walked over and their eyes met.
Her mouth opened, then closed. Did she want him sitting next to her? What was the big deal anyways? Sod Ron.
“Do you want to sit next to me?” she offered shyly.
The moonlight cast a glow on his face and his ivory skin glowed, making him look like a god of sorts. He nodded.
“Sure, why not?”
His large frame came to sit beside her and she forced herself to remain calm but she was already staring at him, smiling like an idiot. Then she tore her eyes away and saw Ron glaring at her.
“I was going to sit there,” he said angrily.
“Well, Malfoy’s sitting here. There’s still loads of space-”
“You’d rather have him sit next to you than me?”
She was aware of the rest of the group watching her. She was also keenly aware of Malfoy watching her intently.
“Ron, the last time we spoke you couldn’t even form a full sentence! Why would I want to sit next to you?” She realised how harsh she was being - which was very unlike her but really, Ron was being ridiculous. They hadn’t spoken properly in weeks and now he acted like he had the right to treat her like they were best friends?
“So you’re fine with sitting next to a guy who called you a mudblood ?”
She stiffened and she felt Draco still next to her. The group of witches and wizards had also paused in their conversation, eager to see how this fight would go down. Hermione couldn’t care about them right now.
Harry interjected, “Ron you need to calm down this-”
“No. It's okay Harry. I can-” she took a deep breath. “You know everyone changed after the war right? Well, I thought everyone. Clearly not you.”
Ron’s face twisted into pure fury. “I can’t believe you, Mione.”
“I can’t believe you! Why would you bring that up? You already know how hard this trip has been for me-” her voice cracked. She couldn’t do this. How could she be fighting with Ron? She felt like she was in the seventh year all over again, shouting at him, angry at him. She felt like they were in those times again - Voldermort was coming, she was shaking.
Draco sensed her fear. He placed a protective hand on her shoulder. “Weasely, you’re upsetting her - are you that dense? Just fucking leave her alone.”
“She’s not your witch!” Ron protested.
“Well, she’s not yours either so piss off.”
Draco’s was shooting daggers at Ron with his stare - promising a fight that Ron was sure to regret - and so slowly the red-headed boy just scowled and relented, sitting next to Harry, who whispered angrily to him.
Hermione turned to Malfoy. “Thank you.”
He gave her a warm look. “Any time.”
The rest of the group gawked at Hermione and Draco’s closeness but Pansy just gave a knowing grin. The rest of the night passed splendidly. Hermione was joking with the whole group - save, Ron who still seemed to be sulking - and as they roasted marshmallows in the fire, Hermione felt like she truly belonged.
“Man, this fire is beautiful,” Pansy remarked.
“Beautiful?” Harry’s voice.
Pansy grinned. “Yeah? It creates these really nice looking shadows on your face.”
Hermione didn’t miss the pink in Harry’s cheeks. Trust Pansy to flirt with her best friend.
“Yeah?” Harry dared. “What kind of shadows?”
“Well,” Pansy’s voice drawled and then she was tracing Harry’s face with a feather light touch - showing him exactly what kind of shadows.
Hermione was sharing her tent with Pansy, and the tent right next to hers belonged to Harry and Ron. Tent sharing was limited to the same sex only - for safety reasons, as McGonagall had put it.
Essentially, they wanted people focused on the tasks and not on shagging each other. Still, she knew most people would probably sneak out during the night for love-making sessions. The forest was a beautiful place and she imagined the edge of the woods, which overlooked a waterfall, where the moon peeked through would be a perfect spot to makeout.
She felt herself redden at the thought - it's not like she would be sneaking off to have a little rendezvous. Much to Pansy’s disappointment, she had let go of the idea of Draco being her boyfriend. Whatever they’d had, she knew it would never be that way and she was coming to just enjoy his simple company, the comfort he bought her. It was enough, she told herself, over and over again. Only at night, would she dare to dream of him in that way.
Later that night, Hermione, after tossing and turning for an hour, finally fell asleep in her not so comfortable sleeping bag. Her dreams were violent and bloody - there was wind thrashing through trees - blurred faces coming for her. And then Bellatrix's face in front of her - and then screaming. So much of it. Pain in her wrist so intense.
Stop screamed in her head. Please just stop.
She woke up sweating and breathing heavily. It was so completely dark and the softness underneath her reminded her of mud and leaves and running through those woods faster and faster. Bellatrix’s face was in front of her again.
Draco hadn’t been able to sleep - truth be told he hadn’t wanted to share with Theo. He wanted to share with her, Granger. And so almost subconsciously, hours past the curfew, he crept out of his tent. Unsure of which tent was hers, he passed each one as quietly as he could, hoping he’d recognize it somehow. What was his plan anyways?
Then, he heard heavy breathing, choking gasps coming from a tent nearby. Hermione.
“Granger?” his voice was slow and tentative. When she didn’t speak, he ducked his head and made his way closer to, casting luminous with his wand. It was only then he could properly see Hermione’s small, terrified face. She looked pale and clammy and her chest was heaving. He knelt on the uneven floor next to her.
“Hey.” He placed an arm on the back of her neck - merlin, her skin was burning. Her eyes were wide with panic. “I have to go- I have to run. They’re after me.”Her voice was low and urgent.
“Granger, it's not real. It was just a dream.” She shook her head and she started trembling all over. He shook her a little and at that she seemed to realise her surroundings. Her eyes were still unfocused and she took in his face.
“Malfoy?”
“Yes?”
She ran a hand through her hair tentatively, as if she was checking if she was real.
“I- I was having a nightmare.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
She shook her head. “I’m glad you’re here.” her voice was a whisper. Some part of her was clearly still stuck in the dream - he could tell from her erratic breathing and the way her eyes were fluttering open and close.
Heart breaking in his chest - an ache he had never felt for anyone gripping his heart - he instinctively pulled her close into his chest and she sighed. The way she held him felt like she was saying I need you, Draco. Feeling her tears fall onto his t-shirt, he hugged her closer to him. He didn’t mind there’d be a wet patch on him.
When she finally pulled away, she whispered in a shaky voice. “Stay.” Her voice was laced with vulnerability and hope - and something else he couldn't place.
He hesitated.
“Wait - forget I said anything. I shouldn’t bother you.”
“No, Granger, that’s not- I want to stay. But what if someone found us in the morning?”
She looked disappointed and annoyed. “I said go!”
There was still fear in her eyes and - he couldn’t leave her like this, wouldn’t.
“I’m staying,” he said gently. He dragged Pansy’s now empty sleeping bag next to her and then shuffled in.
As he lay down, his eyes scanned the tent. “Where’s Pansy?”
“Probably sneaked off to Harry’s tent. I’m not sure.”
They lay facing each other in the dark. Without even meaning to, he reached out his hand to tuck a stray hair behind her ear. His breath was caught in his throat, being so close to her at night like this. She stiffened under him but didn’t protest to his action. So he did it again and again and repeated the motion until he saw her fall into a deep sleep. Merlin, she looked so peaceful next to him, and so beautiful. The ache in his chest was overwhelming - he felt so much for her. He wanted to protect her, laugh with her, be close to her, love her. He was to tired address the thoughts he was having and soon he was also asleep.
Notes:
a little nervous at the direction i've taken the story but i hope you enjoy it! it's pretty much gonna be just soft dramoine moments for a bit (because of last chapter) but I DO wanna write some hot moments between them, just not right now. also my chapters just keep getting longer and longer - oops.
Chapter 13: Greedy
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
He woke to her arms draped over his back, her head tucked underneath him so her hair was tickling his chin. For a minute, he didn’t move - struck by how right she felt against him, how she melted into his embrace, how perfect and beautiful she was this close - and for a second, just a second, he thought waking up every day with her in his arms wouldn’t be so bad - it would be everything. He didn’t want to wake her - especially after her nightmares so he didn’t move. But surely he couldn’t stay like this...it wasn’t...what was the problem exactly? What was so wrong about this when she felt so warm? Stay she had said . He closed his eyes, settling against her. I will, Hermione. I will stay until the very end.
She woke up in his embrace and took a second to let the feeling of his hard chest against her, to admire his ivory hair, the peaceful look on his gorgeous face as he slept. Then she snapped out of it. Godric, this was embarrassing - she had practically tangled herself around him while she’d been asleep - he certainly wouldn’t like that. Slowly, she untangled her limbs from him and returned to the comfort of her own sleeping bag. Despite her body immediately missing his warmth, she got up for the day and got ready.
The remaining three days of the camping trip passed surprisingly well. Hermione didn’t plan to team up with Draco for any of the activities but both her best friends - Harry and Pansy had decided to team up for everything and Ron certainly wasn’t an option. Which left Draco, who also didn’t have anyone to pair up with. She grumbled complaining that she’d ended up with but secretly she was ecstatic.
They hadn’t exactly talked about sleeping in the same tent - let alone waking up to each other. Draco had pretty much left when he realized it was morning and Hermione had already risen and none of them seemed particularly enthusiastic to talk about it.
Draco gently reassured her that if she ever had a nightmare again, he would always be there for her and she thanked him quietly.
Keeping their minds on the fun of doing muggle activities in these woods was easier than to think about the hard memories, the difficult things - those things crept in at night, without a doubt. During the day, it was sunny skies and Draco’s gentle hand on her back as she nearly slipped on a muddy trail. It was the red in his cheeks when Hermione had accidentally called him handsome on their walk to collect wood together. It was her smile at him as he made a stupid joke about pinecones. It was her hair getting tangled in a zip and tears of laughter leaking from her eyes as he used his wand to help her, his grin as wide as hers. It was the way when they’d climbed trees Draco kept a protective glare on her, making sure she didn’t injure herself. It was them taking late-night hikes, while they talked about the smallest of things - gingerbread cookies and the way the moon shone and sometimes the sadder things, Hogwarts before the war, Hogwarts after the war.
They didn’t feel united by their pain, though it was something they shared, but rather the gentle ease and lightness that being together bought them. And during their nightly walks they had as they made their way back to the gentle glow of a campfire, trudging through leaves, wood in their hands, laughter in her stomach, Hermione thought this was more than enough. This was good.
O f course, she had Harry, one of the greatest friends she could’ve asked for, but she hadn’t made a new friend in so long, and presenting herself to someone in a way she liked, in a way that felt true felt like freedom. Draco felt the same.
It was only when she was away from him, in the tent, on her own did she think I want to run my fingers through his hair. I want to kiss him and look at his face after I pull away. I want him to give me a forehead kiss whenever I feel scared. I want him to kiss me. Everywhere. I want more. She felt greedy, he had already told her that he wanted her friendship and nothing else. So why is it not enough? Why am I so selfish? Her mind was cast back to the day in the library when he’d hugged after she’d agreed to being friends. He wanted her, he’d admitted that, but that didn’t mean she was special. Biology, he'd said. Sh e scoffed. How stupid to think Draco Malfoy would ever want her? With the past they’d shared, it would be absurd. What was she thinking? She’d hated him. And now she was starting to think the opposite.
And then, because it was becoming a nightly routine, she closed her eyes, settling into sleep, and began to replay the drunken night where Draco had touched and kissed her in the sweltering closet.
The last day of the camping trip came all too soon and before they apparated back to Hogwarts, it was decided they have one last walk through the forest. Pansy had no way to escape and before she even tried to slip away to Harry, Hermione tugged harshly at her sleeve. “Pans!”
“What? Don’t you wanna hang with Draco?”
She chanced a look over at him. The students were gathered together in a somewhat haphazard line, as they passed the scenic view of the rural lands, but he was distracted.
“Pans, I want to talk to you. My best friend. ”
Pansy smiled. “Well, that’s good. I always tell myself I’m not the type of girl to abandon my friendships when I start dating a guy but I always...end up being that girl.”
Hermione gaped at her. “You’re dating Harry?”
“Keep your voice down! And we’re not official...yet.” She raised her eyebrows and scrunched her nose - delighted.
“Have you- I mean, tell me everything!”
“Mione, I’m sure you don’t want to know everything. But we’ve had some amazing make-out sessions these past few days. It's been - well, a real dream.”
“Wow- I’m so happy for you.” Something stung in her heart - the image of her two best friends on the cliffside, watching the sunset, lost in each other’s eyes. It made her happy but felt a deep longing to have that herself. Ron had never been particularly romantic.
“Seriously, Harry’s a great kisser. I don’t know why you passed up on that opportunity.”
The ache in her chest died as she swatted Pansy on her arm. “Pans! He’s my best friend! Don’t be so absurd!”
“I’m just teasing, Granger. I know very well that you want to snog Draco.”
Hermione turned her head away to hide her red face.
Notes:
so sorry this update is late and this chapter is incredibly short - promise the next one will be much longer!! I really enjoyed writing this soft dramoine friendship.
Chapter 14: Fireworks
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
After the camping trip, everything resumed as usual. Studies continued and Hermione attended her weekly library dates with Draco, which she always enjoyed. The tension between them always felt palpable but Hermione reminded herself that Malfoy was unaffected by any sort of desire for her. She was alone in her feelings for him and slowly she was getting used to it. At least she had him in her head.
Weeks passed easily - Hermione was happy, between studies and hanging out with Pansy and Harry (and raising her eyebrows at their blooming romance), the warmth she felt with Draco and the bubble of laughter she felt at any awkward interactions with Ron whenever she had to interact with him - things were okay .
Soon enough, she found herself settling into the easy routine for things. Pansy had bugged her about Draco a little but Hermione had told her to simply give up on it - it had been a thing, but it was clear Draco wasn’t interested in her like that. The stab of disappointment was never easy to ignore but she did her best.
She was in the library pouring over a specific book with Draco. His warm skin brushed against hers whenever he turned the pages and they were close, deliciously so. Hermione revelled in their embrace, his arms near her face as they leafed through a book together. How good it felt to be against him. In another world, she’d tilt her head and place a soft kiss on his lips and giggle.
In another world.
---
Hermione was startled when she heard a noise from behind her and subsequently, knocked the book out Draco’s hand to fall onto the floor next to her feet. Draco immediately leaned over her legs to retrieve the book but at that moment Ron walked in and his eyes were wide in disbelief. Hermione knew what it looked like - Draco was leaning over her bare legs while she sat on the couch. Draco’s face popped up from above her torso and he smiled. “Hello, Weasely.”
Ron stammered. “What in the world?”
Hermione stammered. “Oh-uh! That was n ot what it looked like! Malfoy was picking up a book from the floor.” She wrung her hands together. “Right, Malfoy?”
“That’s correct,” Draco confirmed as he twisted on the couch to face the ginger-haired boy.
“Well, why the bloody hell did he have to lean over you like that?”
Her face tinged crimson. “Seriously, it’s not a big deal Ronald.” Hermione felt incredibly hot all of a sudden. Why did he have to lean over her legs like that? She could’ve gotten the book herself.
The warm glow of the lamp illuminated Hermione in a way that Draco could only describe as beautiful.
Draco shifted on his seat, taking a proper look at Weasley. “Tell you what, why don’t you do what you came here to do and then piss off. I don’t know if you can tell, but me and Granger were busy.” He could tell that Weaselbee wanted to throw a punch at him by the way he was clenching his fists. He was down for a fight - but just now right now, as it would cut into his precious time with Granger.
Ron glared at him. “I came here to ask Hermione if she wants to come to the party tomorrow night. It's late notice because Theo didn’t want the teachers knowing about it.”
Hermione furrowed her eyebrows. “I mean, why ever not? Parties are permitted - we’re adults.”
Ron chuckled. “I don’t think the teachers would be okay with the things people are doing at these flipping parties.”
Granger began - “I don’t understand. What do you mean by-”
Oh god. She truly didn’t know. He wanted to save her from the embarrassment as quickly as possible. “They’re a lot more sexual than the usual ones. Like really sexual. Like people fucking in public kinda sexual.”
Hermione’s jaw practically dropped. “ What?”
“You telling me you’ve never been to one?” Draco’s voice was rough.
Hermione bit her tongue. “The parties I’ve been to are never like that though.”
“Well, there’s a first time for everything. Are you going to come then?” Weasely’s’s voice grated on his nerves.
“I...I suppose. I’ll have to find something to wear and make sure it doesn’t cut into anything I have tonight.”
“Oh, Hermione come off it. Halloween is one of your favourite celebrations, you wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Hermione grinned at Ron. “You’re right. I love Halloween. So that settles it, I’ll come.”
Draco’s fist closed at his side. He hadn’t known that she liked Halloween that much. He wanted to know things like that about her. He wanted to know her favourite song, the things that helped her sleep, the things that made her laugh, the type of movies she liked to watch at the end of a long day. He wanted to know her so intimately it hurt him to think about how he would never - never have her, never deserve her.
“Well, are you coming?” He realised that Hermione was talking to him.
“Of course. I wouldn’t miss a party like that for the world.” He flashed a charming grin at her.
She scoffed.
Hermione was very sexually frustrated and the drink in her system only furthered the feeling festering inside her. She was annoyed with Malfoy - why the fuck did his mere presence and that stupid grin of his turn her on so much? And why was he so damn serious about everything? (she noted vaguely she was a pretty serious person when sober) Could they just not fucking hook up once?
And where even was he? She hadn’t seen him since they’d arrived where she’d smiled politely at him and complimented his outfit. He hadn’t said anything about her low cut dress, but she didn’t miss the way his eyes hungrily took in his legs.
Or maybe that was wishful thinking. The alcohol was making it hard to think. He was probably fucking a girl - which every boy seemed to be doing tonight.
Slightly peeved that Pansy was too busy with Harry to hang out with her tonight, she took another painful sip of a drink she didn’t know the name of.
Malfoy had been right about these kinds of parties - while the others she’d attended had always felt like casual get togethers and fun drunk dancing sessions, this party felt...intense.
The whole room was cloaked in red and green lights, meaning everywhere she looked there were glimpses of silhouettes and shadows - people weren’t even discrete about what they were doing in public .
The air was thick with the smell of illegal substances and a faint smell of sweat - it wasn’t exactly pleasant but at this point, she didn’t care.
She spotted Ron aggressively making out with a blonde-haired girl through the violent flashing strobes of light spinning around the room.
That was the last straw.
Frustrated in every way, she grabbed the nearest man to her and brought him close. She wasn’t even sure of the boy's names - he wasn’t in any of her classes - but her hands were suddenly all over his body.
“Do you wanna kiss me?” she slurred.
The blond-haired boy didn’t respond instead bringing his wine tasting lips to hers. It was a sloppy kiss but it felt so good to kiss someone - she’d forgotten what it was like. She grew more agitated and pulled the golden haired boy aggressively by the hair, yanking him closer.
Their bodies were plastered to each other and Hermione could barely breathe with how much they were kissing. Desire raged around inside her, and boldly, she reached down to palm the boy between his legs.
“Upstairs?” He groaned against her.
“Mm.” She said, pulling away. “Yes.” She was desperately out of breath.
She needed a good fuck. Well, she doubted the boy’s talents but at least she would feel something.
In the back of her mind, she knew she never did stuff like this. It was stuff Pansy always bugged her about - loosen up! Casual sex is okay! Not everything has a meaning to it! But she was drunk and annoyed and sad and couldn’t give a fuck about morals or her preconieved notions. For goodness sake, she was horny as fuck.
In a blur he had shoved them upstairs and into a random room, slamming the door shut, and pressing her up against a wall. She let out a whimper as he roughly tugged her dress up her legs.
“What’s your name?”
“Adrian.”
"You got a condom?"
He nodded and began reaching for the hem of her skirt, lifting itup it up. Cool air brushed against her bare skin and she shivered. Realisation rippled through her slowly as her knickers were being bought down.
“Wait.”
The boy’s movement paused, his hand briefly lingering on the black cloth.
“I- I don’t think I’m ready to do that.”
“Oh!” He moved his hand away bring them to cross between his head. “I’m confused. Why did you bring me up here?”
“I-uh, well. I did want to, But, nowm” she said nodding her head slowly. “I don’t. Uh, sorry?”
He shrugged. “Sure...You wanna make out?”
“Sure.” she smiled at him.
He bought his face towards her and kissed her harshly, stealing the air from her lungs. This Adrian boy was pretty good at kissing, and Hermione felt pleasure hum through her. Now that she had made it clear she didn’t want sex, ease spread through her - a drunken makeout was more like her, rather than a drunken hookup. At least now she wouldn’t have any regrets. She gripped onto his shoulders to bring him closer when she heard a voice calling her name from outside. Shit. She pulled away and before Adrian could protest she pressed a finger to his lips. Several things went through her mind when she realised Draco was looking for her whilst shouting her name: she could continue kissing Adrian and let him walk in on them, she should hide Adrian in the room before he found her, or she could just stand completely still like an idiot.
It was too late to really decide on anything in particular because then Draco had pushed opened the door.
He took in the sight of her messy hair and smudged makeup, and the boy next to her whose clothes were crumpled and his lips looked bitten.
Oh.
He shouldn’t have been surprised but for a minute he was. “Well, I didn’t expect to walk on this. ”
“You didn’t walk in on anything. Adrian and I were just...talking.”
He gave her a once over. “Whatever, I don’t really care. I came to find you because downstairs they’re going to light up all the halloween decorations at once. I thought you wouldn’t want to miss out.”
“Oh? Now?” She looked at Adrian and grabbed his hand. Draco watched the movement. Hermione was already floundering her way to the door. “Well, let’s go! I don’t want to miss it!”
They hurried down the stairs and joined the cluster of people speaking in hushed whispers and the room was slowly darkened. They were all standing in a room but the wall had been taken down so they were looking out into the darkness of the outside. It was chilly in here and Malfoy could hardly make out any figures. He didn't know where Adrian was...and he was sure he had seen the curl of Hermione's hair but he couldn't make out where she was.
“Granger,” he hissed.
“Here,” she whispered back. He reached out his hand to find her and he brushed over a disturbing amount of people and still didn’t feel her. “Granger!” he said again, agitated.
“I’m in front of you.”
“Wh-”
Oh. She had backed up into him and was pressing against the length of his body.
“Feel me now?” she whispered angrily to him.
“Uh, uh... yeah.” He didn’t recognize his own voice.
“Now be quiet. I want to enjoy this.”
He didn’t respond, too mesmerised by the view that unfurled in front of him. Lights began to glow one by one in front of him, all different shades of orange and red. Pumpkins glowed in the corner and as the lights continued to be turned on, they formed a message that said: HAPPY HALLOWEEN. The silk of her dress shifted against him. He heard whoops and claps in front of him as he realised the magnificence of the light show.
Then from the middle of the display, a small firework floated into the sky. He heard Hermione gasp against them and was made even more aware of the way her body melded against him. Then, when he thought the show was over, more fireworks emerged in the sky, loud and beautiful. He watched in awe - and was strangely aware of how perfect it felt - the cool breeze through the sweaty room, the drink in his system making everything have a hazy glow, the way he could feel Hermione smiling - though not see it - the colours flashing before his eyes. For that one beautiful moment, Draco Malfoy was happy.
Notes:
god, i'm so sorry for the slow update! Things have been kinda weird for me lately - idk how often more updates will come - hopefully once a week? This is also a pretty short chapter and i'm not the proudest of how it's written but i hope publishing it will motivate me! thanks for reading <3
Chapter 15: Well, I’m Very Sensitive
Summary:
“Are you turned on right now?”
“What?”
“You heard me.”
She gulped nervously. What was he playing at?
Notes:
please re-read the last chapter!! I rewrote the whole thing 2 days ago and so is very different to what you first read and it's important to the story.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Hermione hadn’t meant to back up against him like that. But she was drunk and annoyed and he hadn’t protested so what was the problem? Friends did that stuff all the time...Right? Whatever.
She was tired of deciphering his behaviour - she could study books and spells with ease but when it came to him, she came up empty - he was so damn confusing. What didn’t help was what she happened to hear on Friday evening. Or rather, what she saw.
She was making her way to the library to do some reading when she heard voices outside a broom closet. She usually would’ve breezed past - people messed about all the time, it was none of her business - but she picked up on a voice she’d been dreaming about for weeks - Draco’s.
Curiosity overtook her and she slowly moved to the gap in the door, pressing herself against the wall. She saw the side of his face and… another girl’s? She had brown short hair but she couldn’t make out much else from the angle she was standing at. They were standing close and Draco was muttering angrily at her. She watched intently as the scene unfolded before her.
The girl didn’t seem scared, just shy. Straining to hear what Draco was being so angry about, she caught his harsh whisper of “shut up” before he pressed his mouth furiously against hers. She heard the girl gasp in surprise and at that point, she knew she should leave. This wasn’t something she was supposed to see. But she couldn’t tear herself away from the scene. Her eyes were glued to the sight of Draco kissing a girl and her feet wouldn’t move. She watched as he became more aggressive, his hand possessively wrapping around her throat.
Damn, he was rough .
The girl was whimpering and Hermione didn’t blame her - Draco was being extremely rough with his kisses and hands, grabbing her flesh and planting angry kisses all over her exposed skin. Hermione expected to feel jealous of the scene, and though there was a raw scrape of something inside of her, most of all she just felt incredibly turned on.
Guiltily, she imagined herself in place of the girl, that it was her neck and lips and skin he was assaulting. That it was her he was whispering angrily to. She could almost feel his breath on her neck and she pressed her thighs together.
She needed to leave - this was so fucking wrong.
Draco’s hand reached for the girl’s skirt and she pulled away. Hermione recognized the shyness in her eyes.
“I’m a little inexperienced,” she mumbled quietly, looking up at Draco with doe eyes.
Hermione’s breath hitched - curious to see his reaction to the diversion of the makeout session.
She expected him to just tell the girl to fuck off or shut up and stop annoying him but instead, to her absolute surprise, she saw his demeanour soften.
He placed the back of his palm against her cheek and leaned closer to her. “We can stop if you want. Or,” his voice so quiet and soft she had to strain to hear. “I could teach you.”
Oh merlin, the way he said that. She felt herself get wet just at him saying those words in that delicious voice of his.
The girl bit her lip and nodded.
At the sight of Draco drawing himself passionately to the girl’s lips, almost devouring her, Hermione shut her eyes.
This was too much.
Heart beating fast - the fear of getting caught or the desire she didn’t know - she peeled herself away from the scene, and slowly continued on her walk to the library. She hadn’t seen anything - she’d just been wanting to read.
She hadn’t seen anything. But oh she had.
She didn’t focus much in her evening studies - her mind kept replaying the images in her mind, the way he’d handled her, spoke to her...she’d never been so jealous and disgusted at herself in her whole life. She told herself that she hadn’t been that aroused by Draco kissing another girl but the state of her kickers proved otherwise.
Draco couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw the back of Hermione’s head disappearing around the corner as he’d kissed Mia. It had been so quiet in that room - he’d wanted to be gentle around Mia’s vulnerability in that moment. As he’d bought her in for a kiss, he heard a sharp intake of her breath and caught the slither of someone with chestnut curls fleeing from sight. Someone had seen them. Not just someone.
Hermione.
He’d recognize her hair anywhere. But what the fuck had she been doing? And just how much had she seen? And why had she just walked away instead of walking in? In the moment, he’d decided he would think about all that later. He paused the kiss to go close the door and then ended up fingering Mia until she was writhing on his fingers. She hadn’t been ready for sex - and that was fine, he didn’t mind getting her off.
Afterwards, he left with no promise of ever interacting with her again - which wasn’t anything out of the usual. He hadn’t hooked up with someone in a while - mostly because he felt he needed to focus on himself. But he’d had pent up frustration - and even though the girl hadn’t gotten him off (he’d taken care of that later) it had felt good to be somewhat intimate with someone. He liked knowing he had that power over girls.
Tomorrow was his and Hermione’s usual Saturday morning library date - he was somewhat excited to confront her. He had a feeling that she would be terribly embarrassed and that bought him some sort of sadistic joy.
Draco was usually the first to be in the library, Hermione always came in about five minutes later to join him but this time - this time he wanted to catch her by surprise. He lingered at the breakfast table for longer than usual and when he felt like it had been long enough, he made his way to the library. As usual it was incredibly empty and silent.
He spotted her browsing through some shelves, and with a kick of his heart, he sneaked up behind her and poked her in the ribs. With a squeal she turned around, grinning, her cheeks flushed. She was wearing a low cut navy blue cardigan today that fitted tight against her body - she looked gorgeous.
“Malfoy, you need to stop sneaking up on me!”
He grinned. “Really? I find it rather fun.”
“Well, I’m very sensitive.” She was still smiling, a twinkle in her eyes stealing the breath from his lungs.
“Mm, I’m sure you are.”
A giggle escaped her and she began to push him off. “Now, if you don’t mind, I need to get back to work.”
“No, you don’t.” He pushed her softly back against the shelves.
“ Malfoy. ”
“What?” His voice dripped with false innocence.
“Let me go.”
“I’m not even touching you.” It was true. He hadn’t laid a finger on her, instead caging her in with his large frame against the shelves.
“You know what I mean.”
“What’s the rush? We’ve got loads of time to do the jobs we need to do today.”
“Yes, but I’d like to finish them sooner rather than later.” Her cheeks were flushed. “Now let me go.”
“No.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “What is up with you today?”
“What was up with you yesterday?” he bit back. He was pissed off about her pretending to be innocent and also about the Adrian thing - he had no right to be possessive over but that didn't change the way he felt when he'd walked in on them.
At this, her face went full crimson. He tried to hold back his smug smile.
“What are you talking about?”
He edged slightly closer to her, though there was still a considerable distance between their faces and bodies.
“Oh, I think you know exactly what I’m talking about.”
“I don’t. Please explain.”
“Come on Granger. You’re a smart witch. What were you doing last night?”
She fiddled with her ear nervously. “Uh- I went to the library in the evening and then I had a shower and went to bed. What’s it to you?”
“Is that the whole truth?”
“Yes.” It was a sharp, twisted lie and they both knew it.
He hummed, and let his gaze wander over her. “I’m not letting you go until you tell me the truth.”
She huffed. “You’re not my dad. I’m telling the truth and I want you to let me go.” Her eyes met his. “Now.”
“No. I want you to confess.”
“I mean it - I have no idea what you’re talking about!”
For a second, he faltered. What if it had been someone else he’d seen? What if she truly didn’t know what he was talking about. But no - it had to have been her. He wasn’t wrong - he just needed her to confess it...but how?
Stubborn witch.
He needed to think fast - and without much thought, his hand grabbed onto her waist. He didn’t look her in the eyes as he did it, instead of focusing on where his hand met the blue cloth of her clothes. Focused, he slipped his thumb underneath the fabric and began to draw small circles on her smooth skin. He revelled in the sound of her sharp intake of breath - it was so new to him - the effect he had on her. In everything else she seemed so controlled, so powerful. But she felt so soft under his ministrations.
“What are you doing?” her voice was wobbly, and he sensed her shock at their current situation.
“Tell me the truth and I’ll stop.”
“Malfoy.” Her voice was a warning but he sensed weakness. His thumb continued its circles and he didn’t miss the way her thighs squeezed together. Could Adrian make her feel like this? No. Of course, he couldn't.
“Just tell me the truth.” he was getting frustrated - why couldn’t she just admit it? What was so hard about it?
“I am.”
Liar.
Frustrated, he slammed her body forcefully against the shelves, planting his hands against the sides of her head, trapping her beneath him, until there was no space between them.
“God damn it, Granger, I know you’re lying.”
She let out a weak sound. Then she grit her teeth together. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” Her voice was venom. “Fine, I saw you yesterday making out with a girl in a room. Is that what you wanted to hear?”
He didn’t pull back, his hands on either side of her head, his gaze intense on hers.
“How much did you see?”
She stared defiantly at him. “Not much.”
“ What. Did. You. See? ”
She looked away and pursed her lips.
“Tell me. And I'll know if you’re lying. You know about my Legilimency skills.”
She let out a breath. “It was wrong and you’re right to be angry. I saw-” she gulped. “I saw you talking to her at first and decided to say. Yes, I know, that was wrong. You seemed pretty angry and then- well then you kissed her.”
“And then?” His mouth twisted into a cruel smirk.
She bit her lip nervously. “Well, then I guess you were making out uh - quite a lot. And she told you she was inexperienced.”
“Mhm.”
“And uh that’s when I left. It didn’t feel right.”
“So it felt right all those moments you did watch us?”
“No.”
“Then why did you stay?”
She looked away. “I don’t want to lie to you, but I don’t exactly want to answer either.”
Hermione was panicking and she knew Draco could feel it. Her heart was racing in her chest, and she felt sweat on the back of her neck. She couldn’t lie to him with him so close and she knew if she did lie, he would know. But she couldn’t just tell the truth.
Draco brought a hand to her jaw and twisted her face so she looked at him. “Look at me.”
“I am,” she squeaked.
“Why did you stay?” His voice was rough, demanding.
She couldn’t look away even if she wanted to.
“I-I’m so ashamed.”
He softened a bit at that, much to Hermione’s joy. He bought both his hands to softly cup her face and she felt the touch everywhere. How could he be so rough one second and then gentle? “Come on, Granger, you can tell me.” He was coaxing the answer out of her and she was powerless to resist the magic of his voice, his words, his gentleness.
She closed her eyes. “I was turned on by it. By how you were kissing her and the things you were saying. I stayed because it turned me on, okay?”
With the look of pure shock in his eyes she knew he hadn’t been expecting it. Maybe now he’d leave her alone - now that he knew how absolutely filthy she was. The sounds of their collective breathing filled the space...he didn’t know what to say and it neither did she.
Not speaking, he bought one of his hands to her waist, lightly skimming the side of her body. She trembled, feeling his feather light touch raise goosebumps on her skin. She could still feel his other hand placed against her jaw, his thumb almost brushing her mouth.
“Are you turned on right now?”
“What?”
“You heard me.”
She gulped nervously. What was he playing at? What was the right answer?
“Answer me.”
“Well yes, I’m turned on right now. You’ve got me pushed up against a shelf with your hands all over me - what did you expect?” She avoided his eyes, looking down instead at his hand on her waist. “And I know it's terrible because we’re supposed to just be friends and I know you don’t want me but-”
His thumb pressed against her mouth.
“Shhhhh.” A pause as she quieted. “Who said I didn’t want you?”
She was so confused - so confused, this was everything he said he didn’t want. She didn’t have time to even question it further when he pushed his thumb against her mouth. Instinctively, she parted her lips, accepting him into her mouth. His eyes widened with surprise.
I guess now he knows I’m not a prude. She closed her mouth around his thumb and sucked lightly, looking up at him through her lashes. The effect it had on him - the pure look of desire and hunger in his eyes - it made the power rush to her head. It also sent desire pumping through her own veins - her head was beginning to become clouded by her need for him. She had never felt like this with someone before - like every touch would set her on fire, like she would pass out if he didn’t take her right then and claim her.
“Shit, Granger. You shouldn’t have done that.” His voice was rough, beautiful. She could listen to him speak forever.
“Kiss me,” she breathed out, her voice needy and desperate.
A soft noise. “No.”
Her mind emptied as he brought his mouth to her ear and licked it. A shiver ran through her. Her hands were still laid against the shelves, her arms down right by her side. As she bought them up to tangle in his hair, some part of her told her this was an absolutely terrible idea - but she couldn’t think straight with the smell of his cologne fogging up her senses.
"You're right, you are very sensitive."
His mouth traced to below her jaw and then back up to her forehead, small kisses peppered on her nose and cheeks and under her eyes. His hand was around her throat, the gentle press of his large fingers on such a sensitive spot had her dizzy.
“I can’t think.”
“I know.” he murmured sympathetically, as he brushed his lips teasingly along her throat. She was trembling with each touch, taking her higher and higher. Then he was biting, sucking, licking all over her neck. Her hands were in his hair. She felt fucking fantastic. How had they ended up like this again?
“Tell me to stop.” his breath was ragged.
She didn’t answer, instead just whimpering softly.
The sound seemed to only spur him on. “You shouldn’t have been watching me. It was an invasion of privacy.” His voice was pure fury. “Tell me you’re sorry.”
“I’m sorry,” she breathed out. How could she deny him when the feeling of his mouth on her skin felt that good? He was intoxicating and she was drunk on his kisses.
His fingers squeezed gently around her throat and she couldn’t help the moan that escaped her. At the sound, his head snapped up towards her, his eyes blown wide in awe.
His right hand went under her skirt, and his fingers brushed against the cloth of her underwear. Pleasure hissed through her.
He grinned wickedly and touched her through the thin cloth. She leaned against him. “Please.”
“Beg.”
“ Please touch me Malfoy. Please.”
He slid her knickers down and pressed his fingers against her heat. She groaned loudly. The sound only seemed to rile him up more - right then, he made his decision.
“You’re going to be quiet while I do this. And if you make a sound, I mean it Granger, I will stop.”
She couldn’t do anything but nod. “Good girl. And don’t worry, I won’t kiss you.”
Instead, he placed his mouth on her neck and continued to suck. She whimpered.
“Not a sound, Granger,'' he said as he slowly traced her core with his fingers, gathering her wetness.
“Oh my. Is this all for me?”
Embarrassment tinged through her but she didn’t make a sound, struggling. She wanted to moan so bad.
“Answer me.”
“Yes,” she breathed out.
“Good girl,” he said and she practically buckled at the sound of him saying that to her. And he’d noticed it.
“You like it when I call you that?”
She nodded.
“Good girl, Granger. You’re so good for me. So wet, just aching for my cock to fill you.” He trailed his fingers down her clit. “You’re my good girl.” Two fingers entered her dripping aching core and she gasped.
“Your cunt is so perfect. So tight.”
He curled his fingers upwards and an obscene moan escaped her.
“I said, not a sound.”
She bit her lip and looked at him apologetically.
“Sorry,” she mouthed.
He moved his fingers again, hitting that same sweet spot that had her trembling beneath him. Fingers still pumping inside of her, he grabbed her neck and bought her closer. His tongue traced the curve of her ear, the slope of her neck, the line of her collarbones. She could feel her breaths becoming more erratic, how her legs were shaking. Pleasure rolled through with each lick of his tongue, with each pump of his fingers, relentless. Everything seemed drowned out, her eyes were closed, and the intense feeling tingled through her entire body. She burned - she needed to come. “Malfoy pl-”
The words died on her lips as they both heard a large noise come from the left. They paused, his fingers still in her and her knickers still around her legs.
“Shit,” he said and then he was removing himself from her, pulling up her knickers for her.
She adjusted her skirt, brushed her fingers through her hair. Draco picked up a book from the shelf and began to flip through it and she did the same. The footsteps came closer - she couldn’t bear it. She really hoped whoever it was passed by them so they wouldn’t be caught with their guilty faces and flushed faces - it would be obvious to anyone what they had been doing. She held her breath.
“Hermione?” A voice.
They both froze, blood turning cold.
Notes:
okay i hope you re-read the last chapter before you read this one!!
also holy...this is my first time ever writing something kinda smutty...but i really enjoyed it!! i'm so sorry it took so long to update but this chapter is much longer than usual and took a lot of work to get it flowing right...let me know what you thought!! (and who do you think caught them in the library...)
Chapter 16: But I Do Want You
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Potter. Of course it had to be him. Still, at least it wasn't a teacher or the Weasley boy - that would’ve been much worse.
“Oh Hermione, there you are. I was looking for you.” Harry seemed to sill when he saw both of them awkwardly standing to each other, leaning against the shelves, books lying in their limp hands.
Draco thought Hermione looked like a beautiful mess - her face was red and flushed, her skin had a glow to it, her hair was messy around her shoulders, and her neck shined with a sheen of sweat. Her neck he’d just been kissing.
As for him, he still had a raging hard on, and his heart was beating erratically. He hoped he didn't look as freshly fucked as Hermione - but the truth was, he knew Harry saw the guilt written across both of them.
He desperately wanted to save her from the situation, shield her, take her away. Regret of being so careless and putting in such a vulnerable situation in public was already eating away at him.
Hermione spoke first.
“Hey, Harry! What did you need?” Her voice shuttered on an awkward laugh.
Harry looked between them. His gaze was heavy but unsure.
“Are you- Were you... Hermione you look very…”
Hermione bit her lip. “Uh-” she squeaked.
Oh god, she had just had a very intense sexual experience and had been close to having an orgasm - there was no way he could rely on her to handle the situation.
He cleared his throat, ready to take control of the situation. “Now, Potter - surely you can respect a lady’s privacy. There’s simply no need to pry.”
“We weren’t-”
He cut her off. “I guess you could say we were being unprofessional by kissing in the library but I assure you we will be going back to work.”
He gave a civil nod to Harry.
Harry looked at a loss, his eyes flickering between both of them. “Uh-I mean, well. It's just a little...unexpected”
“We were just kissing Harry- I swear.”
God damn you, woman. Way to make us look more guilty and suspicious.
“Uh- I’m sure you were. I didn’t mean to-” Harry looked between them again and blew out a breath. “Well, Hermione, I just wanted to ask you if you were free tonight? We're going Hogesmade.”
He gave her a side glance. Merlin, why were they interrupted? She looked so utterly fuckable right now.
“Of course, Harry. Who will be attending?"
"Quite a few of us. Luna, Ron, Pansy..." Harry hesitated. "And Malfoy if he wants to come."
Malfoy nodded.
"Great! We'll be there. Also uh- I’d just...well I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell Ron about our...kissing.”
Harry’s jaw was working. “I’ll try not to mention it.” He bowed his head slightly to Draco.
“Well, sorry for interrupting. I’ll see you.”
When they were sure he had left the library, Hermione burst into a fit of giggles. At the sight of a smile on her face, he let out a laugh too.
“My - that was...that was terrible. Absolutely terrible. ”
“It was fucking hilarious,” He agreed, nodding his head, laughing with her. ”You could barely get a word out.”
“That’s hardly my fault,” she said breathily, still laughing.
“Fair enough.”
Then the air changed, and he felt Hermione’s eyes on him. He stared intently back watching as her smile vanished and her eyes fluttered.
They both spoke at once.
“We could-”
“I don’t-”
Hermione bit her lip. “Sorry, I don’t want to make this awkward.”
“It’s not.”
He watched her as she took a shaky breath in.
“I just want to know what you want.”
She chewed on her lip. Then she flicked her eyes up to him. “I think the question is what do you want?”
His brain short-circuited for a moment, he hadn’t expected that response. But he quickly recovered as he crossed his arms over his chest and leaned lazily against the bookshelf. “I think that’s pretty clear, Granger.” His eyes roamed over her body.
She queried an eyebrow at him, a challenge.“Yeah? And what’s that?”
His heart stuttered for a moment. But he was done with pretending.
“You.”
Hermione’s heart somersaulted in her chest. Draco Malfoy had just said he wanted her.
For a second, she considered what a bad idea this was, that tomorrow he could be completely different - cold and selfish and pretending none of this happened. She remembered that day in the library when she had made it clear she wanted more, that’s just biology, Granger. I certainly didn’t want to kiss you either. All those times he’d played her, giving her hickeys one second and then saying he didn't want more than a friendship.
Who was to say this time would be different? Better?
And when had she become so reckless with her feelings, with what she did with a person?
But another voice - are you really going to deny yourself getting off with Draco - one of the most good looking guys in the year? The guy who you've been thinking of every waking hour?
She knew the answer to that.
“Let’s go to my room.” She was surprised at her boldness, at the way she said the words without her voice wavering, and it felt good. To be confident, to ask for what she wanted, to be direct.
He was quiet for a moment, his jaw working. “I thought you’d never ask.”
As soon as they stepped foot into her room, Draco was pushing the door close, slamming Hermione against the wall and attacking her the column of her throat with kisses. Hermione hands fisted in his hair and he hissed with pleasure. He took his time, his tongue lapping at her skin, leaving marks she knew she'd have to deal with later. He knew exactly how to make her weak - his kisses almost designed to make her thighs clench, her knees buck, her breaths to come heavier.
Draco pulled back for a second, breathing heavily. “Shall we pick up where we left off Granger?”
She gazed into his eyes. She'd never wanted anything more - he'd been teasing her for so long. “Yes.”
“Say please.”
Her eyes fluttered shut. “Yes, Please. ”
“Good girl.”
Hermione didn’t know how she was still standing but his hand was on her waist, holding her up.
“Now, lift up your skirt.”
With shaky hands, she did as he asked.
Then his fingers slipped her knickers down. She was still absolutely soaked and Draco hummed, seemingly pleased with the mess she had made. Her denied orgasm from previously only made her more desperate to have his fingers inside her again. She gasped as he slipped two fingers inside of her, the feeling of him inside her making her dizzy. When he curled his fingers and found her g-spot, she moaned out loudly as she threw her head back, pleasure rolling through her. The heel of his thumb pressed against her clit, and with his fingers pumping slowly through her, she was trembling, but she managed to bit back her sounds, teeth digging into her lips. Draco increased his pace and Hermione couldn't control the groan that escaped her.
"That's it, let me hear you, Granger. Don't hold back your sounds."
He continued hitting the same sweet spot inside her and she felt like she was floating with his long fingers inside her. "Malfoy I-it's so good, I need-"
"Shhh," he hummed against her neck. His mouth was still leisurely painting kisses over her throat and jaw, and the contrast between the intense pace of his fingers and lazy strokes of his tongue only made her moan more. His fingers stroked over her clit and she bucked - but he held her tight.
"You're so responsive for me. So good."
She couldn't form a response, the pleasure had became too much. She could no longer process what he was saying or what was coming out of her mouth - all she knew was that it too much and not enough, and she was nearly there just-
His fingers kept hitting the same spot, and her legs were shaking around him, revelling in the feel of him inside of her.
“Come on Granger, come all over my fingers like the good girl you are.”
No one had ever said anything like that to her and the sound of his voice tipped her over and she came hard. She shattered underneath him, legs trembling and chest heaving.
When she calmed down from the aftershocks, she opened her eyes she was greeted by the sight of Draco’s face - he looked heavenly, his features soft and kind. She couldn’t move as he leaned forward to press a small kiss against her forehead.
“Thank you." He was smiling gently.
She didn’t want to ruin the moment but one broken word escaped her.
“Don’t.”
He furrowed his eyebrows.
She tugged her skirt back up and smoothed her clothes down.
Her breath was shaky. “Don’t pretend this is for any second more than what this is.”
“And what is this Granger?” His voice was small, tentative.
“Some sick fantasy of yours. You obviously don’t want me, you’re just angry and jealous.”
His voice was threateningly quiet. “But I do want you.”
“Then why...just why? ”
“Can we- can we have this conversation another time? I’m still..”
Her eyes flickered to his trousers.
“ Oh.” How had she forgotten?
“So if you don’t mind, I’m going to take care of myself.”
She felt like she had ruined a perfect moment, but there was nothing she could do. Maybe-
“I could take care of it for you.” Merlin, she sounded so inexperienced.
He stilled, considered for a moment. “Don’t worry about it.”
And before she could protest, he had left.
Notes:
well...i totally didn't abandon this fic for A MONTH. i can't promise i'll be super regular but i'm going to try to do every two week updates!! hopefully that works out. anyways, hope you enjoyed the chapter and thanks for reading <3 p.s how well do you think harry is at keeping a secret?
Chapter 17: A Kiss On The Cheek
Summary:
Draco’s breathing stopped.
His eyes darkened.
The air in the room changed.
She felt pathetic in that moment, so desperate, standing there, tears in her eyes begging for a kiss off Draco Malfoy. Merlin, she wanted him so bad it hurt.
But he studied her as if he couldn’t quite figure out what she had just said.
He rose from her bed, meeting her stance. Hermione was trembling as he came to stand just millimetres from her face.
His gaze dropped to her lips.
She closed her eyes, waiting. And then the tip of his curled fingers brushed the edges of her cheek, and she gasped, eyes flickering open to lock with his.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Hermione was only a little pissed that Draco hadn’t come to see her after their intense session. Whatever. Her makeup was more important than him.
Apparently, the invitation to Hogesmade was an occasion - a sort of play games, get drunk kind of night where everyone got dressed up. Hermione wasn’t passing up on the opportunity to look pretty - she was wearing a modest loose white dress and currently trying to apply her eyeliner without much success. She knew she could cast an illusionment charm but she really wanted to get the hang of makeup.
Her hand jolted when she heard a knock at her door.
“Yes? ”
“It’s me, Draco.”
Hermione huffed, not wanting to speak to him at this moment in time. It was 8pm and she was ready for a fun night out. Reluctantly, she called out - “Come in!”
The door eased open and he entered. She barely looked his way, still peering into her mirror intently.
He started “Look Granger-”
She cut him off. “I don’t really wanna talk about it.”
“Oh…”
He walked over to a few steps behind her and craned his neck to check himself out in the mirror. She had to admit he looked good.
“You know,” he said, looking in the mirror and fixing his hair, “I’m surprised.”
She paused. “What do you mean?”
He inhaled, standing up straight. “I’m surprised I like you. I didn’t expect it.”
“What? Because I’m a mudblood?” It was unfair to say and she knew it. But she was mad. Mad at him for being a coward, for giving her a mind-blowing orgasm and leaving afterwards, for being so damn confusing.
“Granger I-I-don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
“I thought you’d forgiven me.” His voice was small, shy. Something pricked in her heart and she sighed.
“I didn’t mean to bring that up…” I’m just mad at you for messing everything up. I’m mad myself for ever expecting anything. She remembered him comforting her after her nightmare in that tent, walking with him in the woods. How good things with him sometimes were: the library dates, laughing after classes, kisses in closets, looks exchanged over drinks. How he was there for her when she needed it, how he made her pain dissolve like teardrops on parchment.
It was silent between them, Draco waiting for her to say something. She smiled and shook her head. “Sorry, continue.”
He sat down on her bed, adjacent to her mirror and where she was standing.
He shot her a cautious look but she just nodded again and all the oxygen returned to the room.
Draco cleared his throat. “Well, I just meant I always wanted to best you in our younger years. You were the smartest in our year, not that I would ever admit that as a teen. I guess, I just never thought my greatest rival would turn into my friend.”
The word friend hissed pleasantly in her head but stung seconds later. She was glad she’d come so far with him, that she meant something to him, but she felt greedy in that moment - she yearned to be more with him.
She turned to him, him sitting, his neck tilted his neck up to look at her.
And oh he was a thing of beauty. To have him kiss her on the forehead when she needed it, to touch his skin and for him to touch hers and feel the very first bursts of love, light and goodness flickering on in her life where before there had only been coldness and darkness.
She was lost in her thoughts, staring at him.
The times he had said she deserved better, laughed with her, snuggled up with her on that couch in the library, the longing stares at parties, the kick in her heart when she saw him playing quidditch, his stupid jealousy, the fascination she felt at the love bites on her neck, how in her dreams he was always touching her like she was his world.
Would it always be like this - so close yet so far? Here he was, in her room merely centimetres from her, and she was staring into those eyes of his, feeling something - sure she wasn’t imagining it. and yet he always felt a world way, like he would never let her in.
He doesn’t want you.
And you love him.
She broke.
Her heart collapsed in her chest. Suddenly, It was too much, and she felt the tears brewing. She couldn’t let him see her like this. Sobs built up in her throat, and she was suffocating with the knowledge of her love for him, and how it felt like there was a storm inside her.
His gaze was unwavering.
“You should go,” she tried to make her voice sound even, but it shook violently, and it broke tragically on each word.
“Granger?” he said, his gaze went from intense to soft. “What’s wrong?”
Everything. You want me one second and then throw me away the next. I feel like you’re the other half to me and to you I’m nothing.
She couldn’t answer, her emotions so overwhelming. Everything felt too real then, too close - this was just supposed to be her lusting after Draco, maybe earning a stolen kiss. Never this. Never needing him in her life so badly that she felt she wasn’t alive without him. And to Draco she was just a friend.
A shudder ripped through her body.
“Granger,” he said again, his voice impossibly softer, reaching his arm out towards her, almost standing up.
“Don’t call me that!”
Draco stilled.
“Stop calling me Granger! My name is Hermione. Why don’t you ever fucking call me Hermione? ” Her breathing had turned ragged.
She felt the irony of her saying that, when she never called him Draco - only Malfoy - but she was too angry - hurt to care.
“Her-”
“Don’t.” Her voice was fierce. “ Don’t call me anything just.” Just go away , she wanted to say. Just go away.
“Just- why won’t you kiss me ?” Her voice broke.
Draco’s breathing stopped.
His eyes darkened.
The air in the room changed.
She felt pathetic in that moment, so desperate, standing there, tears in her eyes begging for a kiss off Draco Malfoy. Merlin, she wanted him so bad it hurt.
But he studied her as if he couldn’t quite figure out what she had just said.
He rose from her bed, meeting her stance. Hermione was trembling as he came to stand just millimetres from her face.
His gaze dropped to her lips.
She closed her eyes, waiting . And then the tip of his curled fingers brushed the edges of her cheek, and she gasped, eyes flickering open to lock with his. Her heart was racing, and he had never looked at her like this - like he would take down the entire world just to be with her like he wanted her so much that he wouldn’t, couldn’t look away.
He bought his face down to hers, hand resting gently against her skin, and pressed a gentle, sweet kiss to her cheek. She sighed with pleasure and she felt him stop breathing. There was a silence, a pause, a time where she didn’t know what he would do or say next.
“Because I don’t want to, Hermione. ”
He tried to move away then and for a second, she stood still - accepting the fact this was hopeless. But something had snapped inside of her and her hand shot out to grip onto his wrist. He could have easily moved out of her grip but he stilled, his gaze focusing on where her hand met his skin, and them moving slowly to make eye contact.
“What is wrong with you?”
He stayed silent.
“You can’t just treat people like this. You string me around, fucking around with my body as if your kisses mean nothing. Like you can pick and choose how much of me you want.”
“That’s now what I intended.” His calm composure remained and it only vexed her more.
“I’m not a toy Malfoy!”
“I don’t think you are.”
“Then what is this? Are you doing this just to mess with me?”
“No! Of course not - it’s just complicated.”
“It’s not complicated when you call me beautiful, when you get jealous of even the idea of me being with another guy, when you look at me like that, when you tell me to come all over your fingers! ”
She was breathing heavy, revelling in the shocked look in his eyes.
“Fair enough Granger. But it's all fun and games when you flirt with Blaise and any other wizard, when you hate Ron even suspecting we’re together, when you spy on me with another girl. How the hell am I supposed to feel when you make it out to hate the idea of us!”
“That’s not true, I love the idea of us! I even told you I wanted more and it's you who turned me down.”
“That’s because I don’t want to lose you Granger! You don’t know what you’re asking for.”
“But I do, Draco. I know you and I want you and you are clearly taking advantage of that.”
He bit his lip and his eyes suddenly turned glassy and his voice turned quiet. “I know it seems that way. I just don’t want to lose you.” His voice was a shaky whisper and Hermione almost broke.
“You’re not going to lose me Draco!”
His eyes fluttered close at the sound of her pleading tone.
The sounds of their heavy breathing filled the room.
“We’re going to be late,” he said eventually. She let go of his arm and felt like she was letting go of him.
“We need to be at Hogsmeade.”
And then he was gone, his hand falling from her face, his body turned away from her and disappearing into the doorway.
A strangled sound escaped from her throat and the tears finally spilled over, scorching her skin.
Notes:
this chapter was genuinely so much fun to write - but it also took a LOT of work. please lead kudos/comments it always makes my day <3 thank you for reading (also this fic is very slowly coming to a close and I'm kinda sad about it?
Chapter 18: But I Win
Summary:
Pansy giggled at something Harry had whispered to her and then she turned to the group. “Let’s have a staring contest.”
Hermione raised her eyebrows. “A staring contest?”
Notes:
So...this is a kind of a disappointing update after not updating FOR A WHOLE MONTH. it's kinda short and more of just a build up of what's to come but I thought i'd update anyways. promise a proper update is coming soon it's just taking a lot of time to write. anyways keep your expectations for this chapter low :(
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
After sitting on her bed and crying for a good ten minutes, Hermione stood up and looked at herself in the mirror. Smudged mascara and tear stained cheeks. What a mess. She rubbed at her face, getting rid of the tears. Her sadness and desperation had quickly turned into a burning anger inside her. Placing a hand on her chest, she forced herself to slow down her breathing. Fuck Draco - fuck him and all his bullshit. She’d tried, she’d given up so much of herself and he didn’t give a fuck.
She re applied her makeup, angrily scrubbing on lipstick and mascara. She looked down at the conservative dress she was wearing and as angrily as she could without ripping it, she tugged it off. She chose an off the shoulder dress that only barely covered her ass and slipped it on. Then she freed her curls from the bun it previously had been in. I look sexy as fuck.
She’d go to Hoegsemade, have a good time with her friends, and show Draco and every other man what they were missing out on.
She was so done, so done. Draco didn’t want to kiss her - and it hurt. But she repressed the pain, pressing her nails into her palm instead. She’d be late but she didn’t care.
When she arrived at Hogsmeade, she spotted her group of friends, smiling with ruddy cheeks, at a table. But the first thing she really noted was the seating arrangement: everyone was sat in pairs at different sides of the table, Harry and Pansy, Ron and Draco, and opposite them was Luna with a spare seat next to her.
As she murmured a hello and breathlessly sat down next to Luna, she took in everyone. “Thanks for waiting - I know I’m late.” She took the seat next to Luna, bringing her face to face to the son of a bitch who she’d just cried over.
Draco.
Draco who was sitting opposite to her. Great. Luna was next to her, and Pansy was at an adjacent angle to her.
“That’s alright Hermione - we were just about to choose what to order,” Harry assured her while giving her a smile which she returned.
She could barely stomach that Draco was here at this table and so she positioned herself on her chair, sitting at an angle on her chair so she was facing Pansy and Harry, and away from Luna, and still very much one glance away from looking at Draco.
They all ordered butterbeer - Pansy suggesting they stay light on the alcohol for tonight but Harry ordered some firewhisky as well just to add some excitement to the night.
Logically she knew she couldn't ignore Draco all night but her stomach lurched at the thought of interacting with him. It was equal parts horrible and pleasant. Her attraction for him was still rampant, despite how much of a bastard he was. God, if she could tone down her horniness for once.
Pansy giggled at something Harry had whispered to her and then she turned to the group. “Let’s have a staring contest.”
Hermione raised her eyebrows. “A staring contest?”
“I know, sounds boring but I think it would be fun. Everyone in pairs will have to stare at the other until one loses. Then the winner has to face the winner of the other group.”
“No fair! I have Luna.” Hermione complained.
Luna laughed lightly, “How is that unfair?”
“You’re pretty good at staring creepily at people.”
Luna just smiled.
“You’re telling me I’m going to have to stare at this git?” Ron moaned.
Draco grinned. “Scared you’ll lose Weasley?”
“Of course not,” Ron scoffed.
Even though Hermione wasn’t looking at them, she still felt weird about Draco and her...ex interacting. Of course, she knew they no longer hated each other but they definitely were never going to be friends. Their lightheartedness of the interaction made her feel strange.
“Fine,” Hermione said. ”Let’s do it.”
She turned to face Luna, doing a 180 on her chair, careful not to catch Draco’s eyes.
“Okay, 3,2,1…Go.”
Hermione blinked her eyes open and they met with Luna’s. Luna’s gaze was so soft and hazy - and she realized suddenly there was no way she could win this. Her eyes were already slightly pricking. But the drink roared through her and the need to win burned inside her. After a moment, she could see Luna wavering, her eyes slightly watering. Come on, blink. Luna was smiling softly - how the hell was it possible to beat her at this? Hermione was growing agitated but all of a sudden, Luna blinked. Hermione let out a hiss of excitement. “I won!” she was shocked, not having to expect Luna to blink soon.
“So you did,” Luna smiled at her.
An idea tugged at the back of her mind, but she ignored it.
“Alright Hermione, me and you now since I won Pansy.” Harry’s voice traveled to her.
She shifted to face him and the staring contest began. Hermione almost laughed at how intense and focused Harry seemed. Hermione felt more relaxed, at ease that she would win this. But oh no, a minute had passed and her eyes were beginning to burn. But then, with a triumphant kick in her chest, Harry blinked.
“Ohh man!” Harry groaned as Hermione grinned.
Pansy patted Harry’s knee. “You’re a winner in my eyes, baby.”
She’d need to have a conversation with Pansy about this new development later but she was bought out of her thoughts by his voice.
“Looks like Its down you and I Granger.”
It was the first time Draco had spoken to her the whole night.
She looked down at the wooden table below her and took a breath in. There wasn’t any way to back out of this. Why couldn’t have Ron won? You’d rather stare at Ron than Draco? At this moment...yes.
Pansy hooted. “Mione’s going to win just you wait Draco.”
Finally, she looked up from the table and at him. He was staring softly at her. Then he closed his eyes along with her.
“Three, two, one...Go.”
She opened her eyes and stared into his beautiful grey eyes.
And even though she was mad, beyond mad at him, an image of him slamming her against a bookshelf, curling his fingers inside her popped into her mind, unwanted but arousing nevertheless.
She registered the urge to close her eyes, submerge herself into those heavenly, electrifying memories.
She sensed him then - his presence slowly poking her mind.
You know about my Legilimency skills.
She did. This situation probably made it incredibly easy for him to invade her mind. Not that she thought he was actually her mind, but she knew he could probably sense her thoughts. Did he know she was thinking unholy things about him?
Her eyes were wide open and her defenses were down, too focused on winning the contest. The rest of the shop was drowned out, her friends and the chatter. Her eyes were beginning to burn but she was getting used to the feeling. Draco seemed so at peace, his grey smoldering eyes so gentle, warm, inviting.
Her heart ached with how beautiful he was.
There was no way she was going to win this - she had to think of something. She ran her tongue over her lips, hoping this would distract him but he continued to stare. Fine. Softening her gaze to something innocent snd sultry, she bit her lip. She saw his breathing change and her heart leaped with happiness - she would never get over the effect she had on him.
But then she saw something change in his eyes - his gaze was no longer easy and light. It changed to intense - the way he looked at her when they were alone. When his fingers were inside her, and his forehead was pressed against hers.
And then he spoke. “You’re doing so good , Granger.” His voice was hot, low.
The praise went straight to her head and in that moment, she couldn’t think about her friends watching them, or the people here, she could only squeeze her legs together, and let her eyes flutter close. It was a blink. It was a surrender to him.
When she opened her eyes, failure swimming around in her stomach, Draco was still looking at her, grinning. “That was a good game, Granger. But I win.”
He couldn’t just get out of every argument with a sexy voice - she was still mad at him. In fact, she was even ore furious at him for not playing fair. You hadn’t been playing fair either. She wanted to scream “You were practically eye fucking me!” but instead she took an agressive swig of the firewhsiky and muttered. “Well done, Malfoy.”
Notes:
draco you sexy mf
Chapter 19: I Wanted To Kiss You
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Hermione was still shaken from Draco's words “You’re doing so good, Granger.” .Merlin, his voice, those words - she pressed her thighs together.
Pansy punched Hermione’s arm and it bought her out of her sinful thoughts, looking up. Pansy was grinning and in a low voice, she murmured to Hermione, “Later, you are going to explain Draco eye-fucking you just now, to me. Okay?”
Hermione felt a blush creep onto her cheeks and she nodded and whispered back. “And you’re going to explain whatever is going on between you and Harry.”
Pansy giggled and waggled her eyebrows.
“That depends on how much you want to know.”
Hermione suppressed a grin and scrunched up her nose. “Gross, Pansy.”
The black-haired girl only laughed more at the Gryffindor's prudishness but stopped when Harry placed a protective hand on her thigh.
“Who’s down for a classic game of truth or dare?”
Hermione gritted her teeth. The number of messes these games had landed her in before. In fact, wasn’t this where this had all started…? A kiss on her neck in spin the bottle , and just an hour ago a kiss on her cheek.
Hermione gulped her drink as she watched the group slowly agree.
Ron shrugged his shoulders - “Might as well,”. Luna smiled softly and nodded, pushing her hair back. Pansy gave Harry an adoring look as if to say anything you want babe. And Draco, Draco just grinned as if this was all so amusing to him. Maybe it was.
Maybe her feelings were just a game to him, maybe she was just a toy to him. She pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind - tonight was about her being sexy, having fun, not wasting her energy on a manipulative insanely good looking Slytherin.
“I suggest we put Veritaserum in the drinks,” Draco suggested casually.
Hermione nearly spat out of her drink and even Harry raised his eyebrows.
“Is that necessary? We’re not all lying Slytherins here.” Ron’s comment came out more malicious than intended but...she had to agree.
Draco smirked. “Well, Pansy and I are here. So let’s do it.”
She could tell Draco was out of his depths - after all Pansy was the only other Slytherin here. Draco was more relaxed with Blaise and Theo. Here, she could tell he was holding himself back from making snide remarks and taking the piss. It angered her only further that she could sense this, that she knew him that well. Tonight he was acting more polite than usual, tiptoeing. Draco had never really become close with Ron and Harry - only maintaining a sort of mutual respect with them. It was really only because of Pansy and Hermione he was here in the first place.
“We don't just have Veritaserum lying around, Malfoy,” Hermione said through gritted teeth.
Malfoy glanced at her, flicking his eyes up at her. His golden eyelashes in the low glow of the evening. “Actually, pretty sure Harry has some on him.”
Harry grimaced.
“But why would you-?”
Swiftly, Harry cut Hermione off. “Let’s get this over and done with then.”
Harry produced the vial and proceeded to - three drops into each person’s cup. Hermione watched with fascination - she’d never taken it before and was insanely curious about it.
“Alright,” Pansy said grinning, “Whose going first?”
Luna raised her hand and smiled. “I don’t mind.”
“Truth or dare?” Draco offered.
His voice was mesmerising as usual.
“Truth,” Luna answered kindly.
The table went a little silent as they mulled over what to ask Luna - she was so mysterious and yet such an open book at the same time.
Harry was the first to break everyone’s reveries. “What’s the most rebellious thing you’ve done at your time in Hogwarts?”
Luna thought for a minute and then was telling a story about stealing something valuable from a teacher’s office, after spending weeks trying to break into there, which ended in a stern talking from McGonagall.
“That’s not that rebellious,” Harry assured her.
“You only say that because you broke rules constantly, chosen boy.” Pansy grinned at Harry and turned to Luna. “It sounds kinda fun if I'm being honest.”
Before anyone could say she was next, Hermione spun the responsibility onto Ron. “Ron next! Truth or dare?”
The words tumbled out of her mouth in such a rush - and she instantly knew she appeared suspicious. Whatever.
“Dare.” Ron shrugged.
Surprisingly, Pansy was the one to come up with the dare. “Go up to the girl on the opposite table and ask for a kiss on the cheek.”
Ron playfully banged his hand on the table. “You for real?”
Pansy giggled and nodded. Draco smirked. “Scared she’ll reject you, Weasley?”
The Gryffindor scoffed. “Of course she won’t.”
Brazenly, he walked over and began conversing with the girl.
Hermione expected to feel some sort of jealousy or resentment towards the girl or Ron but she didn’t. Instead, she found the situation actually kinda funny, and a little cute.
Then she remembered how she’d reacted to Draco kissing that black-haired girl. The day she had been spying. She’d felt anything but amusement at the situation, she had felt - what had she said to Draco? " I stayed because I was turned on okay?"
And then she was thinking of what happened after that, him trapping her against the bookshelf, the top of his thumb as he pulled it from her mouth, his voice low in her hear, his fingers against her clit. Had that all been today? She occasionally participated in the conversation happening around her, whoops and cheers for Ron and his successful kiss on the cheek, but her mind was elsewhere. Her mind was on the silver-haired boy. The manipulative, cunning, heartless Slytherin boy she reminded herself.
The guy who had told her he didn’t want to kiss her despite everything. She deserved to feel wanted, she knew she did. So was some part of her hung up on a guy who rejected her anytime she tried to take things in the direction she wanted.
“I want a lot of witches, you’re not special.”
But what about “Granger, you’re the bravest witch I know. ” What about waking her up from a nightmare, his fingers tracing her ear until she fell back asleep. What about waking up against his chest, how beautiful he’d been then. What about his voice when he’d asked “Who said I didn’t want you?”
She took another angry gulp of her drink as Draco hummed, deciding between truth or dare. Eventually, after drumming his fingers against his jaw (why was that so attractive?) Draco smirked. “I’ll choose truth.”
Coward, Hermione thought internally even though she was planning to choose truth as well.
Harry piped up. “Are you really as good in bed as the rumours say you are?”
Ron’s jaw dropped open. Pansy smacked a hand over her mouth. “Harry!” she whispered.
Harry’s cheeks were red. “What? Don’t act like you weren’t all curious too!”
“No. It was just you Harry.” Ron groaned.
Pansy was trying not to smile. “You could’ve just asked me, Harry.”
Harry cocked his head at her. “I’d rather not.”
Draco put his hands up. “I’ve taken the Veritaserum so you know I can’t lie. And as far I know, all girls I’ve slept with have told me they were more than satisfied.”
Hermione’s cheeks burned and she couldn’t even look up from her drink. Trust Harry to ask such an absurd question. And the annoying part was, she couldn’t even doubt Draco. Even without Veritaserum, she knew how hard he’d made her come today. Imagine how good he’d feel inside you. Nope, nopity nope. Now was not the time.
Harry and Pansy both chose dares, to which the group selected pretty embarrassing things to do which they both dealt with in good-natured spirit.
Then, suddenly, it was Hermione’s turn and she was saying truth and Harry was asking her a question.
“Who was the last person you were intimate with?”
She was keenly aware of Draco and Ron both staring at her - and she was extremely flustered about this, sure that her cheeks must be red.
And then the answer was slipping out. “Malfoy.” Guilt burned on her tongue.
The table went quiet.
Luna was the first to react, laughing lightly. Hermione pinched the skin on her hand between her two fingers.
“Draco’s kissed you?!” Ron, was of course, mad.
“Not on the mouth!” She tried to defend herself.
“That’s even worse!”
“Jealous, Weasley?”
Hermione turned on him. “Shut up, Malfoy.”
Ron stood up, scowling. “How could you not tell me!”
She stood up as well, meeting his stance. “My love life is none of your business!”
“That’s true, Ron.” Harry’s voice.
“You knew about this?” he turned angrily to Harry.
The Veritaserum kicked in. “I mean, yeah but-”
“There are no butts! You’ve been hiding this from me. All of you!”
“Yeah because of your reaction right now! You have no right to be mad at who I choose to be with!”
“When it involves a former death eater, Yes I do actually!”
At this point, everyone in Hogsmeade was looking at them but there was blood pumping through her veins and she couldn’t care less.
“Can you not just leave that in the past like the rest of us? Or are you too immature and bitter?”
Ron’s jaw worked and before she gave him a chance to respond before she was scurrying out of Hogsmeade.
The group watched her run away, all silent but brains whirring.
Draco was the first to get up. “Let’s call it a night. I’m going to the bathroom.”
They all nodded, all too surprised by the turn of events to speak.
Draco disappeared into the bathrooms when he heard his name being called from behind. For a minute he thought it was Hermione but then he remembered she never called him by his first name. Why don’t you ever fucking call me Hermione? The memory stung.
He turned around slowly and saw Pansy rushing towards him.
“Yes?”
“Are you and Mione fighting?”
He looked at her, silent.
Because I don’t want to. What he’d meant to say was the truth - that he did want to but he didn’t want to ruin everything between them, that he wouldn’t ever be enough for her, that to kiss her would mean accepting something was there, something he would never be ready for. Confusion swirled around him - he was always on edge nowadays, edging the line between keeping safe and being a coward. “Draco,” she said again, bringing him out of his thoughts.
Then-
“She asked me why I wouldn’t kiss her.” The words hadn’t meant to slip out but they did, he couldn’t keep it in. “Earlier, today.”
Pansy’s eyes were wide. “And you obviously didn’t...kiss her.”
Draco shot her a look. “No, why would we?”
“What? But you want her.”
He let out a laugh at how straightforward Pansy was about the whole thing.
“It’s really not as simple as that. I...I do want her. More than you can imagine. But…” then he looked at pansy. “You know what, I don’t know what I’m doing.” He began to walk away from her.
“But what?” Pansy hissed, annoyed, struggling to keep up with his quick stride.
He spun around and gripped Pansy’s arm. In a low, dangerous tone he spoke. “You know as well as me that Granger wants a boyfriend and you know that I could never be that for her.”
“Why not? Because you’re not that type of guy? Tell me. Are you only going to have shallow relationships with girls for the rest of your life? Is that really how you’re going to live your life?”
“I haven’t had a hookup in a while.”
“I’m aware.” His eyebrows raised and Pansy continued to speak. “That doesn’t mean anything. You can’t keep telling yourself that she deserves better - no, she deserves who she wants. And that’s you Draco. Stop denying yourself and her something that could be so beautiful. So good.”
Draco looked into Pansy’s eyes for a moment, really considering what she was saying. Then he shook his head. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. You know nothing about me.” He turned to go but this time she grabbed onto his arm.
“No.”
“Pansy let go of my arm.”
“No. I do know you Draco - we practically grew up together. And I know you’re absolutely terrified of a relationship. But you can’t push people away forever, especially not her.”
“Pans-”
“Let me finish. You’re going to go to Hermione. You’re going to explain how much of a bloody coward you’ve been and then you’re going to give her the kiss she’s been dreaming about. And you’re going to try. It's not going to be perfect and easy at first, maybe it never will. But god Draco if you don’t put everything into this - this thing you have with a girl who would do anything for you then...”
“Then what?”
Pansy sighed. “Then I understand. I understand your past and the pain you’ve felt and why this is so hard for you. But you would be letting go of something so good and rare, Draco.” Silence rang through the walls. His mind was spinning.
“Okay,” he said finally, voice weak. Then he was off - he needed to find her before she got back to Hogwarts.
It was dark and she was almost running, disappearing into a random alleyway and sagging against the wall. This entire day had been so emotionally taxing. God, she was tired: the library, Draco finger fucking her, the staring contest, the drink, Ron’s fury, Draco’s eyes, Draco’s hair, Draco’s voice Draco Draco Draco.
Because it always came back to him - didn’t it?
And sure enough there he was, his voice rough behind her.
“Hermione.”
Her name from his lips shouldn’t sound so heavenly. So right.
“What do you want?!” she whipped around to face him, her hair snagging in the wind.
“Can we just talk?”
The moon cast a glow on his face, making him look god-like in the cold night scene.
“What is there to say?” She knew, in her heart, that there were too many unspoken words between them, things they’d both pushed to the side but she was angry, beyond angry at him. He took a deep breath.
"I'm not sure where to start." His stance and voice were meek. How the tables had turned.
"How about...the start?"
“I know that time on you told me you had an eye on a certain wizard you were talking about me.”
She almost laughed but didn’t, instead of pressing her lips together. “That was months ago, Malfoy.”
"You said to talk about the start of all of this!"
"Yes but I don't see why that's relevant."
"What I'm trying to say is you like me, okay?"
"Do I?"
“Look, you’ve admitted you’re attracted to me okay?”
“That’s just biology, Malfoy.”
“Why are you being so difficult?”
“Why am I being difficult? I’m not the difficult one. You are.”
“I know but I’m trying - I swear I’m trying to fix things right now.”
She folded her arms across her chest. "Go on, I'm waiting for your explanation."
He took a deep breath. “Look, I know I pushed you away, and I was a fool for doing so. The truth is I thought you deserved better.”
“I’m starting to think maybe you were right about that.”
He winced. “But I realised that I was stringing you along and that by denying myself, by denying you I was only making things worse. I realised the refusing your love just to keep you as a friend was not worth it, Hermione."
She shook her head, stepping back from him. "You fucked things up! you would mess around with me and then say you just wanted to be friends! That you wanted a lot of witches, that I wasn't special."
"Because I've never been a boyfriend! I know, it's a shitty excuse but I was scared. And I'm sorry. For making it seem like I didn't want you."
She was remembering his voice when he had said, “But I do want you.” Then fucking have me! She wanted to scream. But her anger was slowly fading, transforming into something else. The begging for friendship, the fear in his voice when he said it was complicated, that he didn’t want to lose her.
Draco had been a coward, but he had had reasons to be scared. He’d still hurt her - but both things could be true - that he was wrong in his treatment but there were reasons for his behaviour. Reasons she could forgive if he was sorry.
It wasn’t black and white, it wasn’t easy, but would love with Draco ever be easy?
"And are you still scared? Of being with me?" Her voice was no longer accusing, the spite had fizzled out to longing for him.
He shook his head slowly. "I realise now that I’d give up everything just for a taste of your love. Even if it meant losing you. I want you, I want you, Hermione."
She swore she saw a tear in his eye then. She breathed slowly, her dress and hair billowing in the wind, the moon a beacon in the dark alleyway. She didn't speak.
“Granger,” he said finally, breaking the spell of silence.
“Malfoy.”
“I lied.”
“About?”
“About not wanting to kiss you.”
He advanced on her, slowly, confidently.
“I know,” she said - she hadn’t known.
“I do want to kiss you.”
The breath was knocked out of her chest. She kept her cool.
“Why haven’t you already then?”
He ignored her question.
“I wanted to kiss you in the spin the bottle game.” A step towards her.
“I wanted to kiss you that day in the library.” Another step.
“I wanted to kiss you in those seven minutes inside that closet.” A step closer.
“I wanted to kiss you yesterday.” His hair looked so soft, soft enough that she wanted to run her hands through it.
“I want to kiss you all the time, Hermione. ” So close she could count his eyelashes. How had she never noticed the little scar on his left cheek before? How light and lovely the stray strand of hair against his forehead looked. How his large and grey his eyes were, and she was suddenly lost in them.
She didn’t know how it happened but one second she was looking at him and the next his lips were on hers.
Something happened in her heart then, an ache she had never felt before filled her whole body, and happiness like she’d never known it flooded her senses.
His lips were soft on hers, and insistent.
She gasped against him, and tangled her fingers into her hair, moving her lips against him.
Kissing him was like the feeling of getting into bed after a shower with fresh bed sheets and yet when he coaxed her mouth into getting his tongue side over hers, kissing him was also the feeling of flying 50ft in the air, wind-cold and harsh against your cheeks. It was the first laugh on a spring morning and also the exhilarating feeling of gazing at the stars.
She grasped more forcefully at his hair, and he hissed, and then one of his hands were on her waist, one against her face, cold but thrilling at the same time, and she was dizzy, spinning, spinning.
She pulled him closer, his body melding perfectly against hers but he pulled away slightly, gazing into her eyes.
“I’m so lucky,” he whispered.
Fireworks were going off in her heart.
She grinned as she pulled back onto her lips - she’d waited so long for this, and she felt addicted to him already. Who knew kissing him would be like this?
His tongue was in her mouth again and sparks exploded through her body, and the feel of him in her mouth and his hands on her only made her kiss him more intensely, with reckless abandon. She wanted him and she was making sure he knew it.
Eventually, she pulled back to gasp for air and looked up at him to meet his gaze. He was smiling, softly. “I’m trying desperately to think why I never have done that before.”
Hermione was breathless. “Yeah, I know. That was…”
He licked his lips. “Sensational.”
She giggled and her eyes darted to his lips again but before she could kiss him again, he was speaking.
“Has it...has it ever felt like that before?”
For a second, she looked down, biting her lip. Then she looked up, and slowly she shook her head. “It’s never felt that... right. ”
“It’s the same for me too,” he murmured.
Hermione felt a little shocked - Draco had kissed so many girls. And yet…
“Are you saying I’m special?” She poked him playfully.
“The most special,” he agreed and they were kissing again.
Notes:
EEEEEEEEEP!!! they finally kissed!!
also I know this sounds like a happy ending for them - but there's still some...trouble to come into their relationship. Hermione still hasn't fully forgiven Draco (and like, understandably, he's been a dick to her) and her and Ron have a lot to talk about. As well as her and Pansy.
Chapter 20: A Guy Who Will Fight For You
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Hermione woke and for a second, she forgot the previous night. Then she was remembering, in a flash, the feeling of Draco’s lips on hers, insistent, claiming. Gently, she touched her fingers to her lips with wonder. He’d kissed her. She felt giddy as she got ready for the day of classes and opened her door to make her way to them
She nearly yelped when she found Draco standing outside her door. She stumbled and Draco put his hands out to steady her, his hands gently skimming her waist.
“Morning, Hermione.”
She was breathless. “Morning.”
Their eyes met and she didn’t know it happened but he had her pushed up against her door and they were kissing, and anyone could see but she didn’t care because he was kissing her so good, so much. Reluctantly, she placed her hand on his chest, to end the kiss. They were both panting a little when he pulled away.
“What?” he said, a little dazed.
“We can’t just...kiss whenever.”
He furrowed his eyebrows. Then he was grinning. “Why ever not Ms Granger.” He pushed her against her door again, her back colliding with the wood. “Is it against the rules for me to kiss you?”
She resisted the urge to look at his lips but she couldn’t contain the smile on her face. “I’ve been thinking,” she started. That wasn’t true. She hadn’t been thinking about anything but his kiss, the way his body felt against her.
He brushed his nose against her. “I’d be surprised if you weren’t thinking, you’re such a clever girl.”
She breathed slowly through her nose. “Malfoy,” she warned. He was overwhelming her senses, the smell of him delightful and dizzying, his proximity addicting.
“I’ve been thinking,” she continued “that we can’t just...I mean we’re not dating.”
He pulled back and Hermione was secretly thankful - she didn’t know how long she could go without kissing him while he was that close. He looked down at her. “We’re not? I thought...that’s what you wanted.”
She bit her lip. “I mean it is what I want. But I can’t be with someone just like that. I want you, but I want to start over.”
He shook his head. “What are you saying?”
“I do forgive you but you did confuse me for a long time and made me feel kinda shitty. And if we want this to work, I need you to prove yourself to me.”
He nodded slowly “Okay... And what exactly will make you...think I’m deserving. What kind of things can I do?”
“Charm me, ask me on dates, do kind things. It's up to you.”
He bent to whisper low in her ear. “Oh, so you want me to seduce you?”
She pushed him away, rolling her eyes and trying not to grin. “This isn’t just about sex you know.”
“I know, I know. This is about romance. ”
She looked down, shy. “Yes.” Quiet confession
He bought his fingers under her jaw and tilted her face so she was forced to look at him. He cocked his head. “Okay, I agree with your plan. What are the terms?”
He dropped his hand from her face, curled his fists at his sides.
“Terms?”
“Like do I get to kiss you during the time I have to prove myself to you?”
“Well, if I want this to be brand new then, no kissing.”
“What about my fingers in your cunt?”
Hermione closed her eyes. Her voice was shaky. “ No, none of that either.”
He groaned. “But, Hermione, the things I’ve been thinking about doing to you-”
He was cut off by her lips on his. For a second, she was in control of the kiss but he quickly got over his surprise, and then his hand was cupping her jaw, the other claimed her waist and he was holding her against him, coaxing her lips open to let their tongues slide over each other. After a minute of feverish kissing, Draco pulled away.
“I thought you said no kissing.”
“Well, I just wanted to kiss you one last time before this starts.”
“Fair enough.” His eyes darted to her lips which looked swollen, then scanned her face which was red and scattered with magic. “It’s going to be really hard not to kiss you the next few days.”
“It’ll be worth it,” she whispered before making her way to her first class of the day.
In her Herbology class, Pansy was seated next to her. Once they were set an assignment and the general class chatter started up, Pansy pinched Hermione’s arm.
“Ow!”
“Are you going to tell me about what’s going on with you and Draco then?”
Hermione inhaled. “It’s...complicated?”
“He kissed you last night, didn’t he.”
“No.” She didn’t know why she was denying it.
“Come off it, Mione. You’ve been smiling the whole lesson. You answered two questions wrong. He definitely kissed you.”
“Fine,” she shrugged. “He kissed me.”
Pansy squealed and Hermione tried not to grin. “Shh! It's not that big of a deal.”
“It so is! So are you two dating now?”
The Gryffindor shook her head slowly. “Nope, not yet. ”
“What do you mean?”
Hermione explained the same thing she had to Draco to Pansy and the black-haired girl nodded.
“That’s actually very smart of you Hermione. You deserve a guy who will fight for you.”
She fiddled with her quill and bit the inside of her cheek. “Yes,” she said eventually, staring absentmindedly at a window. “I do.”
After Herbology class, she found Harry. He was with Ron, deep into conversation. She tapped his shoulder. Harry turned around.
“Oh, Hello Hermione. Ron and I were”
“Can we talk?” She made sure not to look Ron in the eye - not having yet processed her emotions towards him. Harry stared at her.
“Alone?” she prompted.
Once they were alone, Hermione spoke. “I have a question.”
“What is it?”
“Why did you have Veritaserum on you last night?”
“I-”
“Please don’t lie to me.”
He sighed.
“The thing is Mione...Pansy told me about you and Draco. And after I told her about you and him in the library we decided it would be stupid for us not to intervene. The invitation to Hoegsamde was genuine and I had no idea I would be walking on you two... kissing. But after that, things kinda fell into place. I wanted you to tell Ron because you were going to have to eventually. The only oversight was that...you and Draco had just fought. We were just trying to get you to tell Ron about you and Draco. For some reason, we thought that this was a good idea but-”
“It wasn’t your place to any of that Harry. Now it's all...even more, messed up between me and Ron. I wanted to tell him differently.”
“I know and I’m sorry. If I could-”
“It’s- whatever. I was putting off telling him so I guess it's good he knows now.”
Harry placed an arm on her shoulder. “I’m really sorry. And - you’ll work it out eventually - I know you will.”
“You really think so?”
“For both your sakes, I hope so. You deserve a good friendship”
Hermione gave him a watery smile.
In Potions, Draco sat on the opposite side of the classroom but he kept turning around and flashing grins at her. She just rolled her eyes at him. As they were leaving the class, Draco came up to her.
“Hello,” he said.
She shot him a look. “Hello.”
“Would you do the honour of telling me your name?”
Hermione had been walking slowly but now she stopped in the middle hallway.
“Malfoy,” she said.
He smiled. “How funny, that’s my name as well! Well, not my first name but-”
“Malfoy!”
“Yes,” he said innocently.
“Why are you asking for my name?”
“You said we were starting over.”
“Not completely!”
“Well, you didn’t make it clear. Where are we starting from then? The bit after I made you orgasm or-”
“Shhh! Someone will hear you!”
He smirked lazily at her. “And?”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “We’re starting from the night I came to your room.”
“When?”
She huffed. “You know. When you invited me to the library dates?”
“Oh, so they were dates to you.”
“You know what I mean.”
“If we’re starting from there I haven’t even had the privilege to touch your magnificent tits-”
“I swear to Merlin, you’re never going to get to kiss me again if you keep being so crass.”
“I recall you liking my crass words. When I called you a good girl. Or did I imagine that?”
He was leaning towards her, cornering her, always cornering her. How was she supposed to deny him like this?
“I like your crass words in private. ”
“Didn’t know the library was a private place now.” He was smiling, of course, he was smiling.
“That’s different.”
“How?” And he was making her back up again, and she could smell his shampoo and oh god, that look in his eyes make her want to say fuck it all, and let him kiss her until she forgot her own name. “How is it different?”
She gulped. What had they been talking about again? His lips were close and if she just moved closer-
He suddenly stood up straight, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Careful now, Hermione. Wouldn’t want to break your own rules.”
She scowled at him, but on the inside, she was melting.
Notes:
I know! An update so soon! I really fell in love with writing this chapter. There's still some stuff with Ron to be sorted out, and a lot more Dramoine scenes to happen before they can have their happy ending. Thanks for reading and supporting this fic so far xx
Chapter 21: Is This A Date?
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
At breakfast, Pansy came and sat with Harry at the Gryffindor table. Though house divisions and hostility had pretty much dissolved after the war, there were still a few raised eyebrows as Pansy set down her food on the table, snuggling up next to Harry, hushed murmurs from the Slytherin table. Hermione registered the surprise on Harry’s face but it quickly softened to a smile and a pleasant laugh. Pansy grinned and grabbed Harry’s neck, placing a quick, fierce quick on his lips - Harry flushed beetroot, stuttered for words. And Hermione just laughed at the absurdity.
Then Pansy turned to the rest of the table. “In case you didn’t know, Harry and I- ” she placed a hand on his thigh, “-are dating.” The table looked a little lost but Hermione broke the silence with a clap. “I’m very happy for you,” she said, nodding her head.
Pansy shifted in her seat. “Why thank you,” she replied in a tone all too posh and Hermione laughed again.
Breakfast continued normally after that, the Slytherins quickly growing bored of the initial shock of Pansy and Harry sitting together.
It made Hermione think - maybe it wouldn’t be so bad when she and Draco went public.
As if he'd want to be seen with her. What if he was ashamed of her? What if he said she was silly if she suggested they tell people? He could imagine his sneer why would anyone need to know? You’re mine. Maybe she wouldn’t need anyone to know.
But even now, without him being her boyfriend, she itched to sit with him, kiss him until they were both delirous again.
After all, she felt strongly for him and it would soon become hard to hide that.
As she got up from the table and made her way to the lesson, Hermione realised she wasn’t very worried about Draco proving himself to her. She had high expectations of him but she couldn’t imagine he wouldn’t meet them. What with his swoopy hair and the giddy feeling that bubbled inside her when he teased her. Then why not just make it official already. Because...because he’d denied her, messed with her. And Hermione wouldn’t allow herself to be treated in such a way. Not anymore. If he really wanted her, he would push down his ego, stupid pride and he would make a fool of himself. For her. After all, she'd done it for him.
She deserved, for once her life, a guy that would fight for her. She refused to be reduced to a pathetic fool who begged for a kiss off a Slytherin, for the love of a boy.
The day passed gradually, and the only thing keeping her momentum going was a note he’d passed to her in class.
Meet me outside Hogwarts - dress warmly.
It was late January and Hermione gazed distracted at the frosty air outside her dorm window. She felt conflicted at what to wear - immediately having reached for a sweater and jeans but then deciding it was too boring for a date. What did girls even wear on dates? In the end, she had chosen out a black slip dress, layering it with a white turtleneck, tights, boots and a thick sage green coat.
When she reached Draco, who was snuggled up warm in a black hat and coat, all the words left her mouth. His gaze didn’t rake over her, and instead, he met her with a friendly look a she stood in front of him.
“Is this a date?” she blurted.
He studied her. She expected him to respond with something like you wish or something vague if you want it to be but instead he replied- “You wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t.”
“Where are we going?”
He began to walk and she fell into stride with him. “Tsk, don’t be impatient.”
She huffed. “It’s Hogsmeade, isn’t it? We’re going to have a lovely chat over butterbeer and then go back to Hogwarts-”
“It’s not Hogesmeade. Merlin, what do you take me for?”
“Well- I mean no one’s ever taken me on a date before.”
“How absurd, who wouldn’t want to out with a swotty, know it all, b-”
She swotted him across the arm. “Malfoy!”
He huffed out a laugh. “You didn’t let me finish my sentence.”
“Finish it then.”
Something snapped in him and he turned around, grabbed her wrists in both his hands. Leaned his face to press her against hers. “I was going to say you are swotty, know it all beautiful woman who has utterly bewitched me.”
Warmth painted her cheeks, and she looked up at him. Who had come up with that rule of no kissing until he proved himself? Surely he had, surely she could kiss him now. Because now she had a taste, she wasn’t sure how she was still standing, how she managed to have gone three days without the taste of his lips.
Then, she huffed a laugh, seeing her breath fog up the air.
“Who uses the word bewitched ?”
He released her wrists, his cool countenance returning. “The people in your muggle novels.”
“You read mu- How?” She sputtered.
He raised an offended eyebrow. “What, think I don’t read?”
“Well no but I mean- muggle novels?” She couldn't contain her surprise.
“I’ve developed quite a taste for them. Though they are quite dramatic.”
“How-”
He paused at the entrance to the forbidden forest. “We need to apparate.”
“Into the forbidden forest?”
He looked at her, cocked his head. “Maybe you aren't a know-it-all. Yes, into the forbidden forest.”
She rolled her eyes at him.
“Hold my hand.”
Her heart jolted in her chest. She’d made out with him, writhed on his fingers, traced her fingers over love bites he’d left on her skin and yet this felt too intimate, too much.
He watched, annoyed. “Well, come on. I don’t bite.”
She raised her eyebrows suggestively and took his hand, threading her fingers through his. It wasn’t necessary - he only needed a physical connection to her but her Gryffindor bravery blazed through her.
He didn’t seem to react, and in a matter of a second, they had apparated.
They seemed to arrive at a random place in the forest, and Hermione turned to ask him something but he put a finger to his lips, then gestured for her to follow him.
They had only walked a few paces when Draco crouched to the ground, muttered something.
And then the ground was moving, crisp grass making way to remove a staircase. Her eyes widened, and Draco revelled in the look on her face, before crouching low.
She followed him down the staircase, apprehensive at first, but she struggled to keep back her gasp when she finally saw what awaited them at the boy. She was so shocked that his name fell from her lips, no filter.
“Draco, what is this? ”
There was wonder in her voice and something bubbled up in him at the sound of her breathless voice, saying his name. The fact that he’d made her feel like this. The fact that he could keep making her feel like this, that this joy could be forever.
Woah, mate. Forever is… a lot.
He swallowed the thought, and shucked off his hat and coat, gesturing for her to do the same. “After the war, things were...hard. And I needed a place to come that was away from all of it.” He expected her to avoid his eyes, but she was standing metres from him, her gaze soft and gentle. “I found this place. Mind you- it didn’t look like this. But,” he felt a spike of pride rush through him. “Now it does.”
“And is this where you read your muggle books?” She wriggled out of her coat and the words died on his lips. He saw her all the time and yet somehow, his breath was stolen every time he saw her. And the fact that she had dressed up for him.
She took in his look, mistook it for disgust, rushed to explain herself.
“Sorry, I spent so long trying to dress and I think the outfit might be too much and I-”
He cut her sort, took a step towards her.
“ Hermione, you are not too much. Never too much. In fact,” he took a step closer, taking in the rosiness of her cheek, the colour of her curls cascading down her shoulders and back. “I can’t seem to get enough of you.”
He noticed her hitch of breath but she was too stunned to say anything. He cleared his throat, quick to change the subject, gestured to the books that lined the walls. “Yes, this is where I read my muggle books. And I stand by the fact they’re dramatic.”
“How so?”
He plunked down onto the blue couch and she joined him. “Well, in the romance novels they take so long to fuck each other. I mean come on- surely no one actually had that type of self-control.”
She scoffed. “Just because you fuck every girl you meet.”
He smirked. “I haven’t fucked you.”
She ignored him. “And it makes sense because the characters are so different to you-”
“How?”
She huffed. “You’re crass and rude and unashamed. A lot of characters are shy, or feel they are above feeling...attached to another person.” He shrugged as if this was a fair assessment. She continued. “It makes sense that they wait so long before they’re ever intimate. And isn’t that the exciting part? The refusal, the fact that they don’t give in.”
Up until now, there’d been a decent amount of space between them, both of them curled up on the opposite sides of the couch. But now, Draco gets on his knees, crawls over to her. His hair hangs down over her face, breath fanning against her.
“I don’t know Granger. I think it's far more exciting when they do give in.”
It's all happened so fast, he's leaning over her, knees on either side of her legs, and he’s so close and he smells divine, like pine, and he’s staring at her and speaking like that and she feels herself melt against him. Words dissolve from her mind.
“I- uh. I-”
“God, I love that.”
“What?” Breathy, needy tone.
“How I can reduce your mind to stutters.”
“I don’t-”
“What?” But she didn’t get to respond because he was closing the space between their lips and she wasn’t saying no and she wanted this so, so bad. But he stopped, right before their lips touched. She almost screamed with frustration before quickly remembering this torment had been self-imposed. He wouldn't touch her, only gaze at her with those eyes of his. They breathed in sync, and she wanted to grab him and pull him closer and kiss him, kiss him and touch him and please him-
She needed to stop this before she went mad.
“Malfoy.” She meant it to come out as a warning, but it almost sounded like a moan.
“Still calling me Malfoy?”
She opened up her mouth but couldn't think of a word to say. She felt empty in more ways than one. What was wrong with her?
He merely grinned. “That’s alright, I’ll have you screaming my real name soon enough.”
She sputtered and he merely grinned as he bought himself off her, as if he'd come to the conclusion that he was done playing. He hadn’t even been touching her and she was dizzy, almost drunk.
“Right,” she said, sitting back up, dazed, as he settled on the other sound of the couch again, legs sprawled, only inches from her.
For the next hour, Draco read her excerpts from some of his favourite stories, as did she and Hermione had never felt so happy. They bickered over interpretations of poems and the moral compasses of characters laughed and chatted like old lovers and Hermione remembered why she had fallen for him the first place.
He felt like home.
Then on their way back, he bought her hot chocolate from Hogsmeade and she teased him for being unoriginal and he scowled at her. A scowl that had quickly transformed into desire as she dipped a finger into the whipped cream, placed it in her mouth, watched as his eyes darkened as she sucked on the digit. Smiled innocently as she removed it with a pop from her mouth, as he gritted his teeth.
He paid for her drink, tucked her hair behind her ear, walked with her back to the castle and all the while, she stared at his lips, unabashed, hungry. And it wasn’t like before: he wanted her, was not ashamed of it and the feeling of being wanted - well, it felt like letting out a breath she had been holding in for far too long.
Notes:
very happy that updates are more regular now!! Anyways four more chapters left before we say goodbye to this fic ;( Let me know what you thought of this chapter!
Chapter 22: Sweetest Slytherin
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
“Earth to Hermione?”
Hermione was, to put it simply, love crazy. Having only previously seen small glimpses of Draco’s soft, caring side and now suddenly being showered with affection and those to die for smiles was - well, it was enough to make a girl lose her mind.
Focusing on her studies was proving to be a challenge; she’d be brewing a potion and think about how good it felt when he leaned against her, when they were close enough to kiss and suddenly she’d poured too much of an ingredient in; she’d be writing notes for History of Magic and the ink would spill when her mind stuttered over a particular glance over Draco had given her earlier. And the absurdist thing was she didn’t get tired of hanging out with him or thinking about him. How had Draco put it that day? I can’t seem to get enough of you.
Well, she felt the same way - dizzy and all consumed and absolutely dying to kiss those hungry looking lips. During her trips to libraries and conversations with friends, her mind would wander - repeating to herself the same question - when would he kiss her again? Surely soon - she didn’t know how he managed to resist the urge because anytime they were close, she would curse herself for ever suggesting the no kissing rule.
“Hermione?”
She was pulled from her thoughts by the sound of Harry’s impatient voice.
“Hmm?”
“I was asking how the library archives are going with Malfoy?”
She blinked. “Oh. We’re nearly finished, this Saturday would be our last time finishing everything up.”
“That’s great." He smiled awkwardly. "Well," he said finally, "what I really wanted to talk to you about was, well, Ron’s been-”
“I’m going to talk to him, I swear it, Harry. I just- I’m not entirely sure what to say to him.”
Harry sighed. “Ron’s not angry because you’re with Malfoy.”
Hermione raised a sceptical eyebrow.
“Well, he is. But I think he’s madder that you didn’t tell him about Malfoy in the first place and lied to him. He feels betrayed and ‘Mione I think - I think he misses you.”
She blew out air through her nose, trying to process this. “I- I miss him too. But he’s just so awkward and weirdly jealous and...you know? I just want it to be normal with him. I want him to be okay with my life instead of just being so mad all the damn time.”
Harry gave her a sympathetic look. “I know, he’s difficult sometimes. We both know that. But give him a chance? I can’t stand to see him so upset.”
She nodded. “I will, Harry. I will.”
She’d talk to Ron later. She would. But right now? Right now she was lying in bed, tired after a day of classes, the glow of the moon spilling through her window, pillow clutched to her chest as she recounted a conversation in the underground book hut Draco had shown her yesterday.
"For example, in Pride and Prejudice Elizabeth and Darcy don’t even kiss. I mean come on! “What if Darcy was a bad kisser. She would’ve never known!”
Hermione laughed. “Well, that’s true. But things were different back then. And I think it's nice that their relationship was built off emotions.”
“Yeah right. Darcy also didn’t shut the fuck up about how beautiful Elizabeth looked every chapter.”
“Well yes, but he also changed himself for her when she called him out on his behaviour. Their romance was very emotionally charged. It was made up of trust and respect and admiration.”
“And them eye fucking each other from across the room when they attended balls.”
She rolled her eyes. “Does that situation ring any bells for you?”
The comment has been flippant, cheeky - and so she was surprised to that his cheeks had gained a small tint of scarlet to them as he remained weirdly silent.
“Hit a nerve?”
He cleared his throat. “No.”
She reached over to him, placed her thighs on either side of his so she was straddling him on the couch. She noted his fists curling at his sides.
“Tell me, Malfoy. What did you think of me at the Yule ball?”
His cheeks were fully flushed now and he looked away. Didn’t meet her eye. Merlin, had he thought she’d looked terrible?
“I- Uh, Well. You looked…”
She bought both her hands to cup his jaw, bought his face up to meet hers. “Hey,” she said gently. “You don’t have to tell me.” There was some strain in her voice, not wanting to be disappointed by his thoughts of her unruly hair or ugly dress. What if he thought she’d looked hideous?
He smiled softly. “No, it's just...I was absolutely speechless when I saw you that night.”
“Really?” Joy bubbled up inside her.
“I hated you obviously, so my internal monologue was less like “oh she’s beautiful.” and more “Fuck her for looking like that. Why the fuck does she look good? She shouldn’t be allowed to!”
A laugh escaped her. “Well if it counts for anything, I thought you looked very dashing that night as well.”
A grin split his face. “Who uses the word “dashing?”
She swatted him, then he licked his lips, her gaze dropped to them, hungry, knowing she couldn't, wouldn’t and was reminded of her stupid rules all over again.
-
She was still lying in bed and the hour was late but she couldn’t sleep and without meaning to, she was making her way to Draco’s room, only in a slip and small cotton shorts with a robe to cover her as she walked through the corridors.
She almost pushed the door open when she remembered. Next time knock Granger. How things had changed since that night.
Hesitantly, she knocked three times on his door.
She heard scuffling and she was greeted by Theo, his hair messy and eyes tired. He furrowed his eyebrows when he saw her at the door. “Isn’t it your bedtime?”
She scoffed. “I’m here to see Draco.”
The Slytherin raised his eyebrow. “On a first name basis now?”
She resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “Theo, can I come in?”
He shrugged and stepped to the side.
Draco’s bed had the curtains drawn around them and tentatively, leaving Theo’s side, she pushed them back.
“Have fun!” Theo called as she disappeared behind the curtains.
Draco was sitting in his bed, with a pair of reading glasses on, as he held a blue hardcover in his hand.
“Hello,” he said.
Only Draco could cause her body to heat at the sound of him greeting her.
“Hi,” she replied meekly, suddenly shy. She’d had absolutely no plan heading into his room and now she was unsure of what she was even here for. But he seemed to be less clueless than her as he closed the curtain behind her, casting a silencing charm to then lean back smugly against his pillow.
“Strip.”
She blinked.
“What?”
His face didn’t portray any emotions, his eyes flickering over her. “Do I have to repeat myself?”
She was suddenly far too hot but she didn’t resist him, bit her tongue to stop any questions spilling out, the most urgent one Are we going to have sex?. Slipping her robes off, she stood unsure as she revealed herself in the lacy white slip to his view.
His gaze was devouring but he didn’t move, eyes still intense.
She crossed her arms over his chest, insecure as his eyes raked over her.
He set down his book beside him.
“Drop your arms.”
She dropped them.
‘Good girl,”
A shiver ran through her.
A strange sense of calm settled over her, as even though she felt hot and flushed, everything felt slow, right.
And she was incredibly turned on and he hadn’t even touched her.
Yet.
She wasn’t exactly sure what had happened between the innocent moment of him saying hello and him ordering her to strip, but she wasn’t complaining. Still, it had been different with Ron - who would usually kiss her sweetly before getting himself off and leaving her unsatisfied.
This - this was different. This was Draco’s cool, lingering gaze. His deep, melodic voice. This pure want. And she felt like she was on fire as he gestured for him to join him on the bed. Exposed and only in her underwear, she crawled onto his bed. He was still fully clothed but there was something in her throat and she couldn’t speak. Couldn’t ask him to discard his clothes.
He didn’t seem to mind her silence. “Come sit,”
Wordlessly, she crawled so her thighs were on either side of him. His legs were stretched out on the bed, so the position meant she was close to him, flush to his body.
He made an impatient nose. “No, turn around.”
She furrowed her eyebrows. “What do you mean?”
There it was again - impatience. He roughly manoeuvred her so that her back was flush against his chest, so she couldn’t see his face. He pressed lightly on her shoulder blades so she shifted down on his legs, questions whirring through her.
The last thing she expected was his hands finding their way into her hair. She felt soft small tugs and gripped his thighs with her hands.
“What are you doing?” she whispered. She didn’t know why - Draco had cast the charm. No one would hear them.
“Braiding your hair,” he responded as if the answer was obvious.
She had figured out by now they were going to have sex but she didn’t -she hadn’t- it hadn’t sunk in properly yet and her heart stuttered at the realisation.
His hands threaded through her hair, surprisingly gentle as he twisted her hair into a plait, and she felt herself relax a little, tilting her head slightly back.
“When d'ya you learn how to do this?”
“My mother.”
“That’s sweet.”
He scoffed. “I’m not sweet .”
She was grinning now. “Yes,” she said, almost gleefully, “you are.”
“I’m a Slytherin, we’re not sweet.”
“You, Draco Malfoy, are the sweetest Slytherin I know.”
He merely scoffed at his, not bothering to argue the point.
Quiet settled over them again.
“Don’t be nervous,” his voice came as he finished her braid and began twisting her around to face him.
“I’m not.”
“I can feel you shaking.”
“Sorry.”
He had spun her around and her legs bracketed his and then his mouth was on hers, rough and desperate.
Finally.
It was like she’d been drowning and she had finally come up for air. She kissed him back - with a passion and heat she hadn’t known existed inside her.
His lips collided with hers, teeth bumping and tongues scraping over each other. He didn’t give her time to breathe, to think, as he flipped them around, pressing her into his mattress, still devouring her mouth and lips. And while he was kissing her, his hands were busy undoing her bra strap. Ron had always struggled with that, always arguing they could just cast a spell to remove it. She’d argued that it was hotter if he took it off, the slow discarding of clothes. He hadn’t got it.
But Draco, gods, Draco was skilled - her bra removed in a matter of seconds. Insecurity spiked through her, even as his mouth descended onto her breast and it was wonderful, electrifying. But then her mind wondered: he was only so skilled at all because he’d been with so many girls, she had only ever been with Ron and what if it was bad and the last time she showered was this morning, what if she didn’t compare to all the girls he’d fucked-
She gasped out in pain as his teeth snagged on her nipple.
He growled at her. “Shut up.”
“But I’m not speaking.”
“Your thoughts are too fucking loud.”
She took a shuddery breath in and Draco paused, bought himself up so his face hovered above hers.
“Hey, Hermione. Hey.”
Her chest felt like it might collapse and she let out another shaky breath. “It’s just - this is all going so fast and I- I don’t want it to be disappointing. I mean you’ve been with so many girls and I might not compare to them.”
He looked at her like she had gone mad but Hermione didn’t feel mad - this was all perfectly logical.
“Hermione, are you hearing yourself? You’re a fucking goddess . I mean look at you. ”
She looked into his eyes, knew that he was telling the truth. And the truth tore through her.
He thought she was beautiful.
He continued. “And if this is fast, and you want to stop, tell me now. We can stop right now.”
Desire coiled tight inside her, making her shake her head slowly. “No. I want this.”
Understanding burned brightly between them. They were really doing this.
She hadn’t come here for sex but perhaps some part of her knew that knocking on this door wouldn’t lead to innocent conversation, that they both felt the pull and it was only inevitable that they’d give in eventually, for Hermione had always been good at self-control but not when it came to him.
She felt reckless even as she kissed him softly. He held her face gently even as his fingers were tracing around her nipple and her breaths were coming harder.
“Please,” she moaned against his mouth. How had he already reduced her to begging?
“As you wish,” he grinned evilly, and then his mouth was there, sucking on her skin and she arched up against him, pressing her breasts into his mouth as pleasure shot through her, eradicating any previous doubts she’d been having. She marvelled at the time he spent kneading her breasts, pinching and rolling her nipples until the ache between her legs was becoming unbearable, her nails digging painfully into his back. She bucked up against him, trying to relieve the pressure and he felt him smile against her skin.
“What do you need Hermione?” he teased.
She groaned. “Please, please touch me.”
He bought his face off her chest to look at her, one hand on the mattress so he was hovering above her, and one hand still on her breast. “But I am,” he said as his fingers toyed with her.
She huffed a laugh, desperately trying to hide her embarrassment even as she blinked rapidly. “Not there.”
“Tell me where then.”
Bastard. She dropped her hands from around his back, and then with her right hand, dipped it between her legs, where her knickers remained, and stroked over the cloth. “Here,” she said.
He groaned as he realised what she was doing, and his hand snapped around her wrist, pulling it off.
“That’s against the rules,” he scolded.
Hermione raised an eyebrow. “There are rules?”
He seemed angry at this and it only made her more aroused. And she was so desperate, so needy, that when his hand finally dipped below her waistband, she bucked against him, already greedy for more of his touch.
But then just as quick as his fingers had grazed her core, they were removed. She let out a small whine in protest but he simply pulled her knickers off her legs before diving right down between her legs with his hand. A tremble ran through her grazed her clit, teasingly. She knew that he knew that she needed more and his fingers pressed against her, gathering moisture.
She was almost shocked at how wet she’d gotten, almost embarrassed but then he pushed two fingers inside of her and her mind emptied.
“Gods, I thought I’d need to prepare you more but you’re already so wet. ”
She bit her lip as he pushed his fingers deeper inside of her, stopping any embarrassing sounds.
His eyes caught the movement. “Stop that,”
She released her lip instantly.
“I want to hear every sound you make.”
She swallowed thickly, clenched at the words, as they sent a new wave of arousal through her at his demanding, possessive tone. And without even much encouragement, only the steady thrust of his long digits inside her, she was writhing on his fingers, bucking against him as she sought friction. It was clear she was chasing an orgasm as the first waves of pleasure started to roll through her, evident in the little pants and whimpers that escaped her mouth. Her eyes were closed as she practically rode her fingers and the only thing keeping her grounded was the sound of his voice.
He watched her intently, gaze transfixed, eyes filled with awe.
“You’re so beautiful like this, Hermione,” he breathed.
His fingers curled inside of her and she couldn’t help the moan that escaped her as he hit a sweet spot inside her - turning her breaths ragged, stuttered. He was building her up to that addicting, dizzy feeling and he kissed her messily all through it, revelling in her inability to kiss him back properly, too overwhelmed, only managing to squirm against him.
“You’re so sensitive,” he teased as he bought his hand up to lightly brush against her nipple. She groaned. “Please," she sobbed, "I’m so close-”
He removed his fingers from inside her and she almost screamed at the sudden absence.
“Why,” she whined, breathless “Why- I was so close.”
A grin crawled onto his face. “I want the first time you come tonight to be on my cock.”
“Take your shirt off then,” she said, still bitter from her denied orgasm.
He was still smiling like the absolute idiot he was. “Eager, are we? Who's to say I don’t want to tease you more?”
Her eyes softened. “Please, please put your cock in me.”
He raised his eyebrows. “You beg so sweetly for me, I find it hard to refuse.”
She smiled in victory as he tugged his shirt off and shucked his black slacks off as well. Leaving him in his boxers which were soon discarded quickly after.
It was involuntarily the way her eyes widened as she took his length in. “Oh,” she breathed. “You’re big. Is that going to-”
“Fit? Yes, it will.”
She wet her lips and before she could say anything or admire his erection any longer, he was attacking her lips again, almost painfully, as she kissed him back, with the same fervour. She felt his cock twitch against her and she clenched in anticipation of what was to come.
“Please,” she whined. “Please put it in me.”
He obliged, lining his cock up with her entrance, whilst quickly casting a contraceptive charm.
“Spread your legs for me.” She widened the space between her thighs. “Beautiful,” he murmured, barely aware he’d said it aloud.
A gasp escaped both of them as he slid the very tip of himself into her, almost without warning.
“Oh,” she pressed her eyes shut as he slid more of himself in.
“Relax,” he breathed out. “You’re squeezing me really tight.”
“Sorry,” she said, biting her lip.
He was almost fully in her, and she trembled at how full she felt already.
"Shit," he breathed "you’re doing so good. Nearly there.”
They both grunted as he bottomed out inside her, not moving.
He looked at her, searching for signs of pain. Her chest was rising and falling, breaths uneven.
Eventually, sweat collecting on his forehead from resisting the urge to pound her into the mattress - she felt incredible and warm and tight - she nodded.
“You can- you can move now.”
He rocked into her gently, still watching her intently, cautious.
Her hands grasped at him until her nails dug into his back, steadying herself. “Harder, please. don’t hold back.”
And with those words, he pulled himself out and thrust violently back into her. She yelled as she felt filled in a way she never had before.
“Like that?” he said, pounding into her.
“Yes! Yes, like that. Gods I feel so full!”
And then he was thrusting harshly into her again and again, not minding her mewls and cries.
"God, Hermione. You're so tight," he groaned in a pained voice.
Her nails scratched at his back as he drove into her mercilessly, gritting his teeth as she arched against him. “Tell me what you need,”
“I need- I need more,” she panted.
Almost furious, he grasped her thigh, hooked his own leg around it and drove into her harder, earning more moans from her as he hit a new spot inside her with the new angle. The sound of their skin slapping together and her breathy moans only spurred him on further.
Hermione felt like she was on cloud nine, every painful thrust and shove of him inside her so deliciously pleasurable. She’d never experienced sex like his - rough and harsh and more importantly, she’d never felt so full.
He was sucking on her skin, biting lightly on her earlobe and neck and shoulder, every expanse of her skin was ravaged by his lips and the gratifying scrape of his teeth, the marvellous slide of his tongue. He began to tremble as he grew closer to his climax, and he effortlessly bought his hand to her clit, rubbing small light circles. She whimpered, wanting more pressure. His fingers became more insistent, making the coil inside of her tighter as she felt she was about to burst.
“I’m going to come,” she panted, writhing and squirming under his ministrations.
Stuttered, rough thrusts, gritted teeth. “Not yet. Say it. Say my name.”
She gasped as he thrust into her particularly harshly, and the pleasure had built, and she choked out his name. “Draco, Draco I-”
“Come,” he growled, jaw tense. “Come all over my cock, Hermione.”
The words tipped her over the edge and she shuddered as the orgasm blew through her, hips bucking and jerking, her muscles contracting around him.
He came seconds later with a groan, spilling inside of her.
She didn’t know how many minutes they both lay there, side by side, breathing heavily in the low light of the room.
“Good thing you cast a silencing charm,” she laughed after she had collected herself. They were both naked and though clean (Draco had cast a spell to take care of that pretty quickly) she still felt the traces of him all over her.
“Yes,” he murmured. She turned on her side to see him lying on his back, staring up at the ceiling.
“Am I sleeping here tonight?”
She saw the faintest traces of a smile on his face. “That depends. Have I passed your test?”
Absentmindedly, her hand reached out to touch his chest and stomach, fingers tracing small circles on the pale, toned skin.
“Most definitely passed the test. Not how I expected it to happen but I’m not complaining.”
“And how were you expecting it to happen?”
She was silent for a moment, pressing her lips together. “I’m not sure. Maybe something more gentle. Which I don’t why I’d expect that from you.”
“I thought you said I was sweet.”
“Yes, but you’re also unbelievably horny.”
Even in the low dim light, she saw his eyes sparkle. “Really? I recall it was you begging merely minutes into it.”
She was glad for the dark now, for she flushed bright scarlet, coming up empty for words. She expected him to let the room fall silent, and for the night to take them but instead, she felt his hand on her thigh, as he turned to lie on his side, facing her.
"Lie on your back," he murmured. Even though she was confused, she listened, shifting her weight onto her back so she was looking up at the ceiling. He shifted closer to her and began drawing, small light circles on her stomach. She'd just come and felt greedy as new waves of desire hit her. She didn't dare look at Draco, scared he'd see how flushed and hot she was at his simple touches. But she gasped when his fingers dipped lower, grazing her lips. She was wet still, but her nerve endings felt raw and exposed from what they'd just done and his fingers on her clit. "Draco," she gasped, "it's painful."
"I don't care," he said as he began moving his fingers rhythmically in small circles on her clit, slowly, so pleasure washed through her. She felt herself losing sense of reality again as he bought her to the edge. "Draco, please." She reached out to move his arm but his voice stopped her.
"Don't."
She dropped her arms, fisted them in the sheets as he continued working her towards her orgasm. Her breaths became heavier, as she let out small whimpers.
"You're doing so good for me Hermione. Nearly there." His voice was coaxing, sweet, the opposite of the rough pads of his fingers against her bundle of nerves.
She wanted to cry with how sweet and intense it felt and then her eyes were closing and with a muffled cry, she came, clenching around nothing as her mind swam. She didn't have time to think, recover, because his voice was in her ear.
"Clean them up," he murmured, voice hot and low and demanding.
She sucked the two digits in her mouth, feeling absolutely filthy as she did so. He removed his fingers from her mouth with a pop.
"Good girl," he whispered, and then he put his arm around her, and she shifted to face him. He stared into her eyes, took in her curls and glistening skin.
"Thank you," she breathed though she wasn't sure for what for.
He kissed her forehead, sighed contently. “Good night, Hermione.”
"Good night,"
The room fell silent, the both of them exhausted and dazed and soon their eyes fell shut, drifting off into sleep -his hand in her curls and one of her arms slung around his back. Curled up against each other, snug and warm and happy.
Notes:
Hopefully you liked the update!! Pls let me know what your thoughts ;)
Chapter 23: Tell Me You're Mine
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
It wasn’t like he’d never woken up with her in his arms before. In fact, he remembered vividly what it had been like that morning in the tent - how right she had felt tucked into him, how some buried part of him had thought I want this every day.
Now, he wasn’t sure what to think - her head was buried in the crook of his neck, her legs hooked around him, his arm around her back. He didn’t want to move - didn’t want to wake her. And truth to be told, he wanted to spend at least an hour admiring her.
She was beautiful even in her sleep - this thought was the one that surprised him the most. He’d read about it in books, heard the sentiment shared from many wizards to witches. But he’d never felt the same, never fully understood. But now? Now, he felt strangely calmed by the peace settled onto her features, relaxed. Serene.
And the feeling rising up in him wasn’t unfamiliar: it was what he’d felt as he’d slid into her the night before, the feeling he felt when she smiled at him. The feeling held the same intensity as when he visited his mother in the holidays, when she’d ruffle up his air even at the grown age of eighteen. Intense as the relief he felt after not being sentenced to Azkaban. Intense as the burning in his arm after he’d got the Dark Mark.
But Hermione was waking against his arms, and he swallowed the ache in his throat.
Hermione had never had morning sex before. But she began to question why she hadn’t until then - she very much liked it. She was still sore from the night before but she welcomed the ache she felt as Draco slid into her, hot and slow. He cupped the back of her neck as he rocked into her gently, kissing her slowly.
“It hurts,” she whimpered.
“I know,” he said as he bit her bottom lip softly causing her to cry out. Everything felt languid, hot and even though his thrusts were slow, they still stretched her, hitting her deep. Her whimpers were quiet, drawn out.
Sleepily, she explored the planes of his chest with her hands, slow and careful as her fingertips spread and stuttered over his skin. She’d never really got to take in his naked form before, his toned muscles, but she took her time now. His days of quidditch had paid off, she thought, as she admired the leanness of him.
She whined when she felt the pressure in her stomach build and then he was whispering in her ear, telling her “come for me, sweet girl.” She did, shaking around him. It took her a while to come down from her high, as he came too, softening inside her. She kissed him sweetly as he pulled out of her.
He smiled against her, golden eyelashes against his skin as he closed his eyes. She could get used to this.
It was by chance she stumbled across Ron when she did. She usually avoided him at breakfast, sitting further from him. She did the same in class, her seat always on the opposite side of the class. It wasn't like she was afraid of him, it was just that it was easier to not have to deal with him.
But she knew it was inevitable that she bumped into him sooner or later. And this time, she didn’t have a friend nearby or an excuse to pluck from her mind so she could leave. And so here she was in a broom closet, writing out some notes for Herbology class as she sat on the wooden, grimy floor. She wasn’t meant to be studying - Draco had wanted to fuck her after class, and not in either of their dorm rooms (hoping to avoid questions from Pansy or Theo, and liking the thrill of it)
The door slammed open and there he was - not Draco, but the red-haired boy.
“Ron!” she exclaimed at his dramatic entrance.
He frowned at her. “What are you doing here?”
She bit her lip - couldn’t say she was here waiting for Draco to shag her senseless.
“Studying,” she stated. It wasn't a lie and the notebook she had rested on her knee was proof.
“Oh, right.”
She cleared her throat. “Did you need anything?”
He scratched the back of his head. “No, not really. I was trying to hide from Harry.”
She smiled thinly. “Harry? What’s he done now?”
“He wants to play another match of chess while she’s sitting on his bloody lap the whole time”
“She?”
“The slytherin girl.”
She sighed - so this is how it would be.
“Her name’s Pansy.”
Ron huffed. “Oh yes, I forgot. You’re dating Malfoy now. Might as well be one of them”
She scoffed. “I assure you dating another house doesn’t mean I am one of them. And i’m merely just asking you treat them with respect. Also.” She took a deep breath in. “Look me and Draco we’re-”
“On a first name basis with the git now?”
She clenched her jaw. “Would you let me finish?” She got up from the floor, dusting down her clothes. If they were going to have this conversation, she wanted to be able to look him in the eye.
He merely just stared at her.
“Draco and I are...well, you know. But even if we weren’t, your prejudice against Slytherins is uncalled for. We’ve all moved on after the war, I mean even Harry has and you’re just…”
“Just what? The only person who remembers Malfoy is a death eater?!”
“An ex death-eater,” she corrected gently.
He rolled his eyes. “Do you not remember how he used to be to us? How can you forgive him let alone…” He seemed to recoil in disgust him. “Fuck him.”
“Don’t be foul. What Draco and I do in private is none of your business.” Her tone was clipped.
“I guess I should be glad it's in private then.”
She huffed. “You’re so...insufferable! I’m trying to explain to you that we have nothing to hold against the Slytherins anymore, that house divisions have always been stupid, and that forgiveness is vital for us to move forward.”
“Would you have had this change of heart if not for Malfoy?”
“Yes. I’ve been friends with people from Slytherin for a while, and I hope you don’t take me and Draco personal-”
“I don’t. Our breakup has nothing to do with it.”
“Then why- I mean I get it. But there’s been time and he’s changed…”
He looked down at the floor. “It’s just a lot to process 'Mione. You’ve done all this changing without me. You and Harry. I guess I feel a little left out.”
Her heart hurt. “I’m sorry that I’ve made you feel that way. I know you’ll probably never get along with him, but he respects you and if you could- well, do the same.”
Ron remained silent, staring at the floor. Desperate, she took a step towards him. “Ron,” she said pleading. Her hands were on his shoulders - wouldn’t he just listen? “I know this is hard but please try and understand I would never try to hurt you.”
He released a big sigh. “I guess you’re right Mione. You’re the smartest witch out there. If you think Malfoy’s changed then...I trust you.”
Relief swelled through her and a smile split her face. “And I suppose you don’t mind Harry and Pans then?”
He scrunched up his nose. “Well if they would stop snogging in front of everyone I wouldn't mind. But I guess it's better than having to see him and Gin.”
Harry and Ginny had fallen apart quite the same as her and Ron had. Apart from how her and Ron’s breakup had been quiet, not exactly painful, just awkward. Harry and Ginny’s relationship had been worse - they’d been on and off until Ginny finally managed to break it off for good. They had realised their differences in expectations for a relationship quite quickly, and while Hermione had seen her friends hurt immensely, they were both doing extremely well.
Shaking her head from these thoughts, filled with happiness for Ron’s forgiveness and kindness, she reached up and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Thank you-”
The door creaked open. “Hermione sorry I’m-”
Her arms fell from his shoulders, and Ron’s arm dropped from her arms, as they both broke eye contact to stare at Draco in the doorway.
Draco’s facial expression changed - to a mean stance.
“Well, that’s not what I was expecting to see when I walked in here.” He looked directly at Hermione, who was staring back at him.
“Draco it wasn’t- we weren’t.”
He cut her off, stepping towards her, hand curling around her wrist. He didn't spare a glance towards Ron. “If your conversation with Weasley’s over, then let’s go.”
She blinked, let him tug on her sleeve, insistent. She nodded, mouth dry. And then he was practically dragging her away and she didn’t even know where they were going when he pushed her into an empty classroom. He slammed the door shut and pressed his mouth angrily against hers.
She kissed him back, with as much intensity as him. His hands were everywhere, tugging her shirt off, unbuttoning her jeans. She pulled away, breathless. “Ron and I weren’t-”
“I know,” he said, and instead of kissing her lips again, he found a particularly sensitive spot on her neck and sucked. “I just don’t like anyone else’s hands on you.”
She giggled. “Oh, so you were jealous. It was only a kiss on the che-” He shut her up by returning to her mouth, kissing her almost violently. “I don’t care,” he murmured to her. “You’re mine. No one gets to touch what’s mine.”
“Sorry,” she said breathlessly.
He smirked against her skin. “I think I’d rather you show me you’re sorry.”
Her cheeks flushed scarlet and she pulled back, chest heaving. “I don’t- Anyone could come in here. I don’t want to be caught.”
His hands squeezed possessively on her waist. “You didn’t mind doing it at the library.”
“That’s different,” she insisted, ”I needed you then.”
He brought his mouth to her ear and placed his tongue against it, causing her to shiver. “And you don’t need me now?”
She thought she hadn’t - they’d fucked last night, this morning and yet his cologne smelled fantastic and there was an ache in her legs.
He felt the exact moment when she gave in, her body pliant against him, soft and willing and wanting. Discreetly, he casted a disillusionment charm around them.
Against her lips, he muttered, “now be a good girl and take your clothes off for me.”
It was always his words, she thought as she tugged her sweater off, that got her flustered. Not how he kissed or touched her - no that just made her insatiable. It was only the things he whispered in her ear that made her embarrassed, shy.
His gaze raked over her. “Beautiful,” he murmured. as he undid her clasp, freeing her breasts. He captured her lips again, feviersih, as his hands came to play with her breasts. She pressed her skin against him - who was still filthy clothed. Half of her wanted him to also take off his clothes, but she liked the idea of him keeping them on while she was naked - it made her feel dirtier somehow and in the best way.
Before she could contemplate it any further, he was flipping her around so her back was against him. “Bend over,” he whispered in her ear..
She obliged, and then her chest was pressed against the desk, as her hair spilt across her naked back, He slid her skirt down. Watched her shiver as the cool hit her skin.
His fingers had pushed her knickers away, and he inserted a finger inside of her. “It’s so lovely how ready you always are for me.”
She was glad he couldn’t see her flushed face. He bought his finger out of her, gathering her juices and he began rubbing slow circles on her clit. He stayed there for a while, letting the waves of pleasure ripple through her. But then his fingers left her clit, and found her centre again. This time, he slid two fingers inside her, curled them. Wetness seeped out of her - she had become a mess in seconds. But then his fingers were gone, and she felt something else pressed against her.
Draco fucked her hard, almost violently. But she revelled in the pain and pleasure of it all. The brutal nature of his thrusts. She could tell he was close when he grit out -
“Tell me you’re mine,”
She was breathless in her response. “I’m yours, Draco. Only yours.”
It seemed her words tipped him over - because he came seconds later, groaning as he spilled inside of her.
Hermione thought they were done, and even though she hadn’t gotten off, she still felt thoroughly fucked. But as she got up, turned around to face him, pulling her skirt up, Draco slammed her wrist to the side, stopping her from redressing.
“We’re not done,”
She bit her lip. “Are we not? I mean you came.”
He cocked an eyebrow at her. “I don’t see why that’s relevant.”
And then her back was pressed against the desk, and his fingers were everywhere, inside her and against her and she came, not before Draco told her to “Open your eyes, love. I want to watch you.” And he did. Watched her fall apart on his fingers.
He thought he might have done anything to see that face for the rest of his life - her lips parted and her sweet little moans and her face flushed. The face she made when she came.
And Hermione? Well, all she could think about was how it’d felt when he’d called her his.
Notes:
nearing the end of this fic (to be fair I only think I have one more chapter left) I hope you're enjoying the smut ;) sorry it took a while to update.
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