Chapter Text
It had been two weeks since the encounter with Draco Malfoy, the night Hermione promised never to speak on, to anyone. Including Crookshanks. She could have sworn the cat gave her side glances from the corner of her bed the night she had returned,
Hermione had never truly felt flustered, that was until she was stood next to Harry Potter watching as Ginny and Draco competed against each other.
She didn't know why she turned up, let alone stayed to watch, and she wasn't sure if the constant looks from Harry were from him knowing about the date, or just genuine looks of concern.
Please Merlin let it be the latter she had thought to herself, nursing a cup of Hot Chocolate as she felt her heart race at the thought of Draco hurting himself on his broom.
Of course, they had said things in the heat of the moment two weeks ago, but they didn't mean them. It was a moment of weakness when they were both coming down from their high.
This was a new low for Hermione, coming to Ginny's practice (which she never had before) and pretending it was only the fact she wanted to spend more time with her friend.
"I'm sorry about Ron, Mione. You didn't deserve to be treated like that." Harry said, forcing her from her thoughts and Hermione's face paled.
"Oh, right, yeah. It's... yeah it's been rough." She admitted with a heavy sigh leaning her head on Harry's shoulder. He wrapped an arm around her for comfort but it was nothing like it had been.
They had become so distant lately, the only thing holding them together with Ginny insisting on a dinner twice a month.
And that was tonight.
The thought made Hermione's eyes go wide, Merlin she had forgotten why she was here.
Draco hadn't noticed her yet, or at least she hadn't noticed him noticing her. But she couldn't help but feel that pang in her chest when she saw him so high up, her heart breathing faster her breath becoming heavier with every dip of his broom.
Merlin, she was so completely and utterly fucked.
"Hermione!" Ginny called running over, Hermione released a breath she didn't realise she was holding seeing Draco's two feet on the ground again, a wicked smirk curving his lips.
"Hey Gin" She smiled as her friend pulled her into an embrace.
"Gods, it's been hell without you around, are you coming tonight?"
"About that I-"
"We will be there." Draco came up behind her causing the hairs on the back of her neck to rise. He smelt like sweat, musk and green apple, it took all of her self-control not to come undone there and then.
Hermione felt all eyes move to her, but she couldn't even force the words to escape her throat. Not only had she come to get her way out of the bloody dinner, but she had no intention of appearing with the one man her ex hated the most.
"Uh, yeah, is it alright if I bring Draco?"
Ginny's face beamed and Hermione felt hers drop, Merlin this was going to be hell.
By the time the couple had left, she had a bundle of emotions to let out on the intruder of her plans (which consisted of feeding Crookshaks and nursing a cheap bottle of muggle wine.)
"What was that?" She yelled hitting his chest.
"You're welcome."
"I'm welcome? I was trying to get out of it not involve you, gods you're as infuriating as ever."
"Then why did your cheeks flush when you saw me land?"
Merlin, he had been watching her. More than she had noticed apparently. Hermione hated that he had caught her, even more that she had let him.
"That was nothing, it was cold, and the cold air made me flush."
"And here I was thinking you missed the feeling of my tongue inside you."
Her cheeks flushed and she did everything she could to hide it, including very obviously turning around and crossing her arms over her chest faking annoyance.
She felt his chest press against her back, his arms wrapping around her waist and his breath hot against her neck.
"I love how easily I can make you flustered, Granger."
Draco pressed a soft kiss on Hermione's sensitive skin and she couldn't help the shiver that escaped her. She could feel him, so close to her, yet she held herself back.
"You... you do not!"
She felt her words crumble around them, they were as meaningless as her excuses for coming today. She could have just as simply sent an owl to Ginny, or better yet a text.
"I'll see you later beautiful, wear something I can rip off later."
-
Hermione stood in front of her bed, staring at the black box in front of her. Not only did she not order anything, but someone had managed to break into her house while she was gone and leave a... gift?
How bloody stupid was the thief?
She took a step closer, hesitating in case there were any hidden hexes hidden within the package and used her wand to open the box. Inside she found something that looked like a black... dress?
Hermione noticed a note hidden in the side and picked it up.
Wear this, I want to see weasels face drop - D.M
A smile curved the witch's lips as she read it. Of course, Draco had brought her something to wear, her heart fluttered at the idea of wearing a dress he purchased, walking in around his arm and spending time with him.
Bloody hell, no, no falling for him. Hermione thought to herself, though it wasn't much use.
She pulled out the dress, it was a beautiful floor-length silk gown, something that looked expensive yet elegant. It was all too much for Hermione to process, so she wrote a letter for her owl.
Thank you for the dress, it's stunning, but I'll be returning it to you tonight, I couldn't possibly accept something like that.
Granger.
She handed the envelope to the owl and watched as it flew away.
Gods Malfoy sure knew how to make her feel... things. Things she very well knew she shouldn't be feeling. (Not that she would ever name them)
Snapping her attention the Malfoy owl arrived, she doubted Malfoy had even received her letter yet but took the black envelope from the owl anyway and opened it.
Granger,
I swear to Merlin if your owl is on its way with a dismissal of my dress I will personally see to it that I'm assigned to all your cases in the Ministry for a month, and I will not hold back from showing all of our lovely co -workers how easily a non -fraternisation policy can be broken.
And if that didn't convince you, imagine me climbing through your window, breaking down all your wards and leaving my lavish gift on your bed. I do wonder what I managed to find while I was in there, I'm sure you wouldn't want to discuss details.
And in case both of the above haven't managed to piss you off enough, wear it for Weasel, I want to see his face with you clinging to my arm realising how bloody pathetic he is in my dress.
Wear the dress, please Granger.
Yours, D.M
(By the way, I fixed your wards, only those personally invited by you are now allowed in, I also allowed myself to be on that list.)
A smile curved her lips and she hated it, well she hated the control he had over her right now. Malfoy quite literally had her backed into a corner, either she wears the stupid sodding dress, or she risks her job at the ministry.
Reluctantly, she undressed from her jeans and sweatshirt before changing into a black lace bra and panties and slipped the expensive dress over her head and down her body.
Hermione felt out of place from her usually muggle wardrobe. Her wardrobe was filled with Jeans, dress shirts, and the odd dresses and skirts, definitely not silk dresses that looked and felt expensive.
A sharp knock at the door stole her attention before she could even take in how it looked on her body. How it was clinging to every part of her body so perfectly.
Malfoy had truly outdone himself.
"Who is it?" Hermione yelled walking towards the door, her fingers lacing through her hair as she opened the door finding Malfoy on the other side, holding a single black rose and wearing an all-black suit.
"My, my Granger, you look delectable."
"Malfoy" She greeted him, a subtle smirk curving her lips as she stared at the boy. The way his eyes fell over her body, she felt exposed, but it didn't bother her in the slightest.
Draco's POV
"Not going to invite me in? Oh wait I forgot, I invited myself." His lips curved as she watched the witch glare at him, her cheeks flushing with anger, gods she looked absolutely perfect when she blushed.
Without invitation, Draco walked himself inside leaning against the kitchen counter as he watched Hermione close the door and turn to him.
Merlin, he was so completely and utterly screwed. The dress just showed off every part of her he had craved for two weeks. He felt the drool run down his chin before very quickly recovering.
"I'm glad you accepted my gift, would have been a shame to lose my contract with the Ministry." Draco grinned.
"It's not like you gave me a choice." Hermione seethed quickly which only served to widen his smile.
"We both know you don't like being given a choice, Hermione."
Her cheeks flushed, this time not from anger. One point to Malfoy he thought to himself watching her breath hitch before she calmed herself down.
"Say the word granger, we'll ditch the dinner and I'll take you to the bed, bend you over my knee and spank you like the dirty girl you are. I'll even let you count them if you're good."
He pressed off the counter until he was stood directly in front of her, his hand moving a stray piece of hair out of her face.
"Though I am not ashamed to admit I want Weasel to see you all flustered and squirming because of me." Draco finished, his voice rough with the same need he knew Hermione was feeling.
"What's it going to be beautiful?"
Hermione's eyes went wide and he knew exactly what she was thinking he had never called her that before. Which is exactly why he had said it, someone had to keep the brilliant witch on their toes and it sure wasn't going to be weaselbee.
"We... we should go. Ginny wants us there. I want to be there."
Us.
Draco had found his new favourite word, especially when Hermione Granger was on the other side of it.
"Go finish getting ready then love, I'll wait."
Draco watched as she walked back to her bedroom, his eyes taking in all of her, the way her hips swayed as she walked, the way her hair moved across her shoulders, but most importantly, her little scuffle of excitement he was sure he imagined.
The little brat was enjoying this.
He invited himself onto her couch only to be met with the most antagonising sound, Crookshanks.
Draco had met the beast many years ago at Hogwarts, though he was fortunately separated by four entire floors and two bridges. Then again when he broke into the place, which didn't seem to please the animal at all.
"She's mine," Draco said coldly causing the cat to hiss and he leapt to his feet. "Crookshanks! Be nice to him!"
Two points to Malfoy, not that he was keeping count.
"Why do you even bother to keep the mutt anyway? An owl is much more satisfactory." Draco said, his eyes not leaving the pets as he walked around to wrap his arm around Hermione's waist.
"You look stunning" he pressed his lips to her forehead taking in the sight of her. Gods was she beautiful, not even because of the dress or the way she had done her makeup.
Hermione was always beautiful to Draco. It didn't matter how she looked, in fact, he had burned the memory of how beautiful she looked under him, utterly exhausted and trembling beneath him.
"My Floo is connected to Ginny's, we can just use that to get there."
Hermione's lips looked soft, so soft.
Bloody hell this was going to be a long night Draco sighed to himself. "Lead the way beautiful."
—
It took all of 30 seconds to regret the decision of agreeing to dinner when the sound of children screaming greeted him inside. The green flame of the floo announcing their arrival.
"Aunty Mione!" The small children ran to her and he watched with a face of disgust as they wrapped their dirty hands all over his $40,000 dress.
"James! Albus!" Hermione smiled and he felt himself relax as she hugged them, what was happening to him? "Hermione, you came!"
Weaselette ran up to the pair and Draco tensed as he took a step back, feeling uncomfortable and overwhelmed with everything that was going on. It all felt so... domestic.
"I was half expecting an owl or a call at the last minute." Ginny smiled.
"I would never do that do you." Hermione sighed moving to embrace her friend.
They were far too close for Draco's liking. "Thank you for getting her to come," Weaselette said looking at him and his brow raised. Did she just thank him?
"A regrettable decision," He said in disgust.
"I'm starting to understand why my parents only had one child," Draco whispered in Hermione's ear watching her laugh, it truly was one of his favourite sounds.
"Come on, dinner is already ready!" Ginny said ruining the moment as she led them towards the dining room.
The room embodied everything he knew the Weasley-Potters to be. The floorboards creaked beneath them and the table looked like something out of a 1960s nightmare with a checkered cloth stretching the length of it.
There were many paintings on the wall but Draco's eyes fell to one in particular, one of Hermione, Harry and Ron. He hadn't recognised this photo, nor had he ever seen anything like it.
Hermione was dressed in a pair of Muggle jeans, a purplish hoodie and a denim jacket. Her under eyes were dark and her face much less happy than what it was now, quickly informing him it was most likely taken before the war.
"Malfoy." Potter greeted him, not bothering to hold out his hand as he sat.
"Harry" Draco greeted warmly, even forcing a smile. He prided himself as he watched Hermione and Ginny's eyes go wide in shock.
He pulled out an empty chair for Hermione, allowing her time to get comfortable before sitting down next to her. His hand resting on the armrest of the creaky chair.
"Thank you, Ginevra, this all looks delightful." Malfoy smiled.
He couldn't actually remember the last time he had a proper home-cooked meal, yet he couldn't bring himself to despise the fact it was with the three people his much younger self would have rather been caught dead than with.
"Ginny, it's just Ginny. But thank you Draco, at least one of you has nice manners."
He hid the smirk as Harry and Ron muttered their thanks, and his eyes moved to Hermione. "You alright love?" He whispered, loud enough for only her to hear.
She was tense, that much as obvious. But Draco couldn't tell if it was because of his presence or Ron's. And Merlin he hated being in the same boat as that bastard.
"You look good, Mione." Ron finally spoke and he watched as she sat up straighter releasing a heavy breath.
"I feel better" Hermione smiled, and Draco saw right through it. Placing his hand on her thigh and offering a gentle squeeze of support he looked to Harry trying not to indulge any more of that conversation.
"So how's life treated you since Hogwarts, Harry?"
"Well, it's been busy as I'm sure you can tell." Harry chuckled to himself at the thought.
"I must admit, when I heard you gave up the position of Head Auror to stay home and raise your family I was impressed. A very well-deserved promotion, yet you gave it up."
Draco was about 99% sure that was the first nice thing he had ever said to Potter, and he didn't want to curl over in disgust. Merlin this girl was ruining him.
"Yes, well, Ginny couldn't stop quidditch at the peak of her career so I decided to step back instead. I'm sure the opportunity will rise again one day."
"I'll happily step down whenever you want the position."
Silence blanketed the room, all eyes going wide and moving to him as the words left his lips.
"They gave you the position of Head Auror?" Hermione asked confused.
"They did indeed, my love."
Hermione's thighs clenched around his hand and Ron's gaze burned through the side of his head, bingo.
"Why on earth would they trust someone like you to deal with law enforcement, you're a sodding death eater" Ron seethed.
"While my youth was stolen from me to an unwilling cause I assure you my heart lies in getting rid of the filth once and for all. I have been working very closely with Shacklebolt and Scrimgeour to rid the world of the fools who believed in the cause in the first place. I assure you my part was forced on all accounts."
Another silence blanketed the room, this time a much darker feeling filling the walls. He watched Hermione's eyes gloss over with tears before she quickly wiped them away.
He had never hated himself more than right now for making her cry.
He turned back to her, caressing her cheek softly. "I'm sorry baby, please don't cry for me."
"I'm fine" She lied, but Draco didn't push. He nodded, kissing her forehead softly before turning down and finally eating the meal laid out in front of him.
The plate was filled with something Muggles called Potato Salad, roasted chicken, potatoes and vegetables. Accompanied by a glass of wine that was definitely bottled in the last 5 years, the cheap alcohol burning his tongue.
The rest of dinner went by in small talk which was then followed by a deathly silence as everyone ate their food. Draco kept stealing glances at Hermione but everything about her had changed after his words, he knew she was upset, and he hated he couldn't do anything about it right now.
When dinner had finally come to an end Draco couldn't have been in more of a hurry to leave, practically dragging Hermione to the floo as he said her address and they both left in a green flame.
He couldn't wait to hold her, kiss her, touch her.
Draco wanted her all to himself.
"I didn't even get to say goodbye to the boys!" Hermione said as she walked out of the floo and walked over to the kitchen leaning over to take off her heels.
"Stop," Draco said walking over and kneeling in front of her, pressing the front of the shoe to his knee as he unbuckled the strap and slipped it off, repeating the process with the other before standing and cupping her face in his hands.
"Talk to me Hermione, what's going through that beautiful brain of yours? Stop trying to run away from me."
There was another silence, this time creating an uneasy feeling within the pits of his stomach.
Hermione
"You didn't deserve that, Ronald... he was cruel for saying that."
"I distinctly remember telling you not to listen to anything the Weasel says, his words mean nothing to me, he means nothing to me. Do you want to know why? Because he had the most beautiful girl in the entire sodding world and he managed to let her slip through his fingers like it was nothing. Like you aren't deserving of a bloody pedestal. I do not care for my past, as long as you stay in my future."
Her stomach filled with butterflies as she looked up at the ice-blue eyes staring down at her. She felt her breath become heavy and before she even had time to respond, his lips were on hers.
This was so much different than all the other times, this kiss was a promise, an unspoken truth between the two they already knew but were too afraid to admit as if the words were poison.
Draco's arms wrapped around her waist and she leaned into his warm embrace as he held her closer pulling away from the kiss and just holding her.
Hermione felt content in his arms, the way they so perfectly fit around her waist. She could listen to his heart beating with her head pressed against his chest and feeling the subtle rise and fall of his breathing.
Every part of him made her want more.
"Do you want to tell me about it?" Hermione whispered before she could stop the words from falling out. She felt his grasp on her tense, his breath stopping and his heart beating faster.
"Another time, I'm enjoying this," Draco muttered into her hair placing a soft kiss on the top of her head.
"Do you want to stay tonight?"
Hermione felt Draco release a sigh before he pulled away just enough to look down at her. "I want to stay every night Granger, as long as it's you I'm coming home too."
Hermione felt giddy like she was a schoolgirl with a crush all over again, only this time she wasn't sure that feeling would ever go away.
The idea of coming home to him every day began to be a pressing thought in her mind. How would that even look? With their schedules being almost completely aligned it would be perfect, almost too perfect to consider.
"Let's just start with tonight."
Draco pulled her closer, her head resting against his chest again.
"Tonight it is."
Hermione felt Draco's hands move below her waist and down her thighs, until he picked her up in one single swoop, keeping her pressed tightly against him.
They walked to the bedroom with Draco closing the door behind him as he placed her back down on the hardwood floors.
"Can I take this off?" He asks, pulling at the strands of the dress and waiting for her approval which she gave instantly.
Hermione felt the chill in the air as he pulled the dress up and off her body pulling it over her head. Then, pressing his chest to hers he reached behind her head taking out the clip holding her hair up and letting it fall down her back.
"So bloody beautiful" Draco sighed contently and Hermione watched as he sat down on the bed in front of her kissing her stomach softly.
"I intend on worshipping every part of you, Hermione. I intend to make you realise how beautiful you are to me, how I would gladly live my life all over again if I'm the end you were the prize I never knew I would win."
Damn him and his words. Hermione had promised herself she would not fall for him, now she only hoped he would be there to catch her when she did.
"Draco, we don't have to do this, not tonight." She ran her fingers through the ice-blonde strands of hair, everything about him was as cold as ice, yet he made her feel warm and bubbly.
"Is that what you want?" He asked, his blue eyes searching hers as if she held all the answers. "I don't want you to feel like you have to do anything to make me happy, you do that all on your own."
"Hermione I don't do anything for the pleasure of others, only you. And against all odds I enjoy making you happy, so tell me what you need baby, tell me what is going to let me claim that beautiful heart of yours."
"It's already yours, Draco."
Hermione watched as his lips curved into a smile, his head pressing to her stomach as he pulled her closer.
"I don't know what god I have on my side, but I'll thank all of them for letting me have you."
A laugh escaped Hermione, the thought of Draco being a man with religious beliefs was well beyond anything she had ever known about Draco Malfoy.
"There are over 4,000 different gods in this world, are you really going to thank every one of them."
"I think a collected thank you is enough" Hermione felt Draco's smile against the skin of her stomach as he pressed another soft kiss just below her belly button.
"Come on baby, let's get you ready for bed" Draco stood, taking her hand and leading her to the bathroom.
"Are you okay with showering with me?" He asked, the words coming out with a nervous breath and Hermione nodded, turning on the tap of her shower before taking off the undergarments left hiding her sensitive parts.
"Merlin I will never get tired of that," Draco mumbled, undressing himself quickly before leading her under the warm water.
Hermione stared up at him, watching the water fall down his chest his piercing blue eyes watching hers as he grabbed the bar of soap, lathering it in his hands then cleaning off her body.
"So god damn beautiful" he whispered and a soft whimper escaped her as he moved to cup her breasts, cleaning them more thoroughly than anywhere else.
"Draco, please" The words came out desperate, she didn't want to want him right now, she wanted to enjoy the moment without it needing anything in return.
"Not tonight?" He asked.
"Not tonight." She agreed.
By the time they had both washed and dried themselves and gotten back into bed, Hermione could feel her eyes slowly closing as her back was pulled closer to Draco's chest, his arms wrapping around her and his breath hot on her neck.
"Goodnight, love," Draco said softly, pulling her impossibly closer leaning not a gap between them.
"Goodnight, Draco"