Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

A Match Made In Convenience	By : ErisNight Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 47188 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 9
Disclaimer: The entire universe of Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling. I make no profit from writing these stories. I am only borrowing her inventions for my fiction.

Chapter List
- 11
- 12
- 13
A/N:

Ok so these next few chapters are way over my 5000 word self imposed limit and are packed with information. I've tried to break them up paragraph wise as per your request to make them easier to read. You'll notice that there is a lot more space in between each paragraph and larger spaces in between the shifting POV's. Currently, I'm finished up to chapter 14 and man oh man does shit hit the fan.

I would like to gently remind you all of some character traits that may get over looked in the up and coming chapters. They are crucial to the story as a whole and will help you understand the pacing.

This is a marriage fic, first and foremost. The posted warnings are all accurate lol, we just haven't gotten to all of them yet. Our beautiful innocent Hermione is waiting until marriage to have sex and most importantly Yes, this fiction Weasley Bashes.

It's all about to get really frustrating for you guys lol, but once the smoke clears, we should have a lovely set of foundational chapters and then another lovely set of conclusive chapters.

Review Replies and Discussion are currently up at: http://www2.adult-fanfiction.org/forum/index.php/topic/49940-a-match-made-in-convenience-review-replies-and-discussion/

I intend on releasing upcoming chapter spoilers tomorrow night before releasing chapter 13 on Wednesday.

Feel free to take part in the forum discussion, I answer most review and comments as soon as they are posted.

Thank you all for reading this so far, every Hit, Rating and Review is the best motivation ever!

Here is Chapter 12: The Truce

Eris :)

Draco had been feeling pretty confident at the end of his work day. Blaise had raised some interesting and yet valid points about the nature of his attraction to Granger. Honestly Draco was just relieved that someone had the foresight to stop him before he ran himself ragged over-thinking the entire situation. He sat in his dark office relaxing comfortably; glad to be feeling somewhat back to normal for the first time in a month. Draco had to acknowledge that he hadn’t been looking at the bigger picture until Blaise had pointed out all the advantages he had, and now that he felt safely back on top, the possibilities were endless. There were three simple truths in this unique situation that topped all else: he wanted Granger, she wanted him and Draco always got what he wanted.

He felt his lips curve up into his trademark smirk. There was nothing outside the realm of these truths that mattered. All he had to do was wait her out and be his usual self. Granger was a curious soul by nature and there wasn’t any way she would live with him without trying to learn as much as she possibly could. In the meantime while she got to know him better, Draco would be on his best behavior. So that when the train wreck relationship she had with Weaslebee ended, which was bound to be sooner than later, he could make his move.

Granger was far too prim and proper to be guiltlessly seduced while still seeing someone else but Draco had found that just the thought of this particular chase excited him. Blaise had forced him to admit out loud that he liked Granger. It had been humiliating to watch the Italian grin every time he was made to repeat it; but Draco had said it out loud and he had meant it. I like Granger.

Draco still felt like a first year thinking those words but once he had acknowledged them as fact, everything pertaining to his feelings for the witch became crystal clear. He had psyched himself out when dealing with her. It almost made him want to laugh at how pathetic he had been. But no more, Draco had his “head in the game” as Blaise had called it and was ready to win her over. If he failed, he would survive. But Granger was the first woman in a long time to capture his attention and he at least owed it to himself to try.

After a long while of contemplation, Draco finally stood and headed for the fireplace. He would start his pursuit of Granger in the morning; but first he had to make sure she didn’t hex him at dinner for his behavior the previous night.

Hermione heard the floo in the sitting room roar to life and quickly stood from the living room couch where she had been waiting. She brushed her hair back from her face and smoothed the wrinkles out of the skirt she had worn to work. Her eyes swept the room nervously as she gave herself one last chance to back out of her new and yet completely thought out plan. “You can do this” she whispered to herself, balling her fingers into fists. You can’t do this, she thought suddenly in direct contrast to her earlier sentiment. Knowing Malfoy he would probably laugh at the idea of a truce and she really wasn’t in the mood to be humiliated by the Slytherin after the previous night. Slowly all her reasons for why a truce was a good idea began slipping away. Hermione had to take a moment to gather her Gryffindor courage. He was one guy and she was confident she could talk to one guy. Plus for all she knew he could feel the same way and want to be friendlier with her. “You never know until you try” she told herself firmly, unclenching her fists and turning on her heel.

Hermione left the room, and made her way down the hall. She had just reached the door when Malfoy went to leave and managed to block his path. “Can I talk to you?” she asked quickly, trying to give him her most nonchalant expression. To her immediate dismay he looked downright suspicious but turned around and headed back into the room without a word. She did her best not to notice how his business suit fit him, or how the material hugged his perfect looking butt as she shut the door behind them. Focus Hermione.

When he turned around to face her, she averted her eyes and brought a hand up to clutch the pendant around her throat. “What’s this about Granger?” Hermione took a calming breath, if he was going to spurn her attempt to reconcile their differences, it would ultimately be his loss. At the very least she was trying and that went a long way in her book.

Draco had been prepared for the worst when Granger suddenly barred him from exiting the room. He hadn’t anticipated a surprise attack from her though; she seemed the type to need approval from Potter for that sort of retaliative action. Ultimately Draco knew that this moment would be coming and so he had brewed healing potions the previous night; and felt good about his odds considering the arsenal of protective spells he had cast on himself moments ago. Draco had decided to allow her to expend her frustrations on him to the fullest extent before apologizing and giving her space. Then in the morning he would act as though it never happened and lay on the charm.

What he hadn’t been expecting was for her to be looking to at the floor when he turned around. She seemed incredibly nervous and unsure of herself and that alone made him worry. If she was starting to have doubts about whatever she had planned to do to him then it couldn’t have been good. He looked to the door she had closed and wondered if he would be making it out in one piece. “What’s this about Granger?” he asked turning to the side slightly so that she would have a smaller target to aim at. She brought her large brown eyes up and met his “I think we should call a truce Malfoy.”

Malfoy seemed at a complete loss for words, his eyes widened and he took a step back. “What was that Granger?” She took a purposeful step toward him, he would not start playing games with her when she was putting her best effort forth. “You know full well that you heard me Malfoy, a truce. We should call a truce and work on being civil with each other, maybe even friends one day considering that you and Harry…”

“Ok” she was cut off mid-sentence by his quick agreement but eyed him cautiously. He didn’t appear to be smirking; in fact he looked completely serious. “What?” she asked awkwardly having expected more resistance to the idea. Malfoy shrugged his suit jacket off and sat on the arm of the couch. “I think it’s a good idea, it will make living with you easier.” Hermione let out a small sigh of relief. That was a completely different reaction than she had imagined, maybe Harry had been right.

She took a step closer and then another until she was standing in front of him. They were at about an even height with him sitting down and he held her gaze the entire time she came forward. Hermione stuck out her hand and Malfoy looked down to it and grinned. She had the craziest urge to move away from him, surely this wasn’t Malfoy but an imposter of some sort.

Since when was Malfoy reasonable and civil? Since when was he capable of being the kind of friend that could bring someone back from the darkest of times? Hermione was suddenly faced with the entirety of things she didn’t know about him and had an overwhelming answering desire to learn as much as she could. Malfoy grasped her fingers in his and bent his head forward. She watched in shock as he placed a kiss the top of her hand before shaking it firmly and letting go.

Hermione could only stare down to the place where his lips had been and think of all the places his lips had been before. Merlin, it had been wonderful and now that she was remembering it, all that she could do was imagine the feel of him. All hot and hard against her, his mouth causing delicious sensation to course down between her legs. “Am I forgiven for last night then” he asked quietly leaning back against the top of the couch and looking her over slowly with his eyes. He can’t possibly mean to discuss it, she thought nervously.

There she was trying to shove the memories away and as if he could read her mind, he was bringing it up. She took a slow step away from him “absolutely, it never happened remember.” Malfoy’s grin widened into a smile and Hermione felt her heart race. What is wrong with me? How did the atmosphere between us change so quickly? He came to his feet and towered over her, his silver gaze going from her eyes to her mouth and then lower. He reached out and took her pendant in his hand brushing his fingers against her chest as he did. “I apologize for invading your privacy” she managed to get out before taking her pendant from his grasp and casually walking to the fireplace to put space between them. Malfoy just looked pointedly at the door she had closed behind them in response and smirked, before reaching up and loosening his tie “no hard feelings Granger.”

Hermione felt her eyes widened as she watched the blond remove his tie and place it in his pocket. What is he doing? He couldn’t possibly mean to…? Malfoy stayed where he was by the couch but remained silent. “I am also grateful that you’ve been such a good friend to Harry” she expressed slowly as if trying to encourage a discussion out of him. He ran a hand through his hair and shrugged “anytime.”

Hermione struggled to find the words to continue. All he was doing was standing there for Merlin’s sake and she couldn’t think straight. The entire situation reminded her too strongly of the previous night and she could feel that she was his sole focus. Malfoy had purposefully reminded her that they were closed into the room together and even though she had been the one to do it, that hadn’t been her intent. “I could call you Draco…?” she tried. Malfoy shook his head suddenly “don’t, Malfoy will do just fine.”

Draco really had a thing about his name, and Granger kept using it when he’d least expect her to. She pronounced it exactly as it was originally intended and extended the “o” sound at the end in such a way, he would immediately imagining how she would scream it. Draco acknowledged that it was a ridiculous fetish of his, and rarely told anyone of it. But it was the little things about a woman and her body language that he noticed and it were those same little things that tended to turn him on. He had been standing there deciding on whether or not he would be able to get away with kissing her again. Granger seemed susceptible to the idea but nervous because she knew that she was and it was completely exciting to watch.

In truth, it only made Draco want her more. He loved how her cheeks colored when she got aroused. It was another one of the little things. Most women in this day and age were so comfortable with their sexuality that they wouldn’t dare be embarrassed by getting turned on. But not Granger, oh no, not Granger, she was far too innocent for that. It was a wonder Weasley could call himself a man at all; when his sexual prowess was clearly so lacking that Granger was barely aware of her own body.

Draco felt disgusted that she put up with less than satisfying sex for so long but vowed to remedy that for her given the chance. Trouble was, he couldn’t very well go about seducing her first. She would never be convinced of his worth if he made this only about sex. The thought made Draco want to frown. He really had no clue how someone went about getting a girl to date them. He could be charming and witty but asking her out was going to be a nightmare occurrence if she didn’t like him as a person. She could be ashamed of herself if she simply lusted after him, she could pretend it never happened. But Draco had to make her like him, she couldn’t possibly lie if her heart was involved.

“Well maybe you could call me Hermione?” she asked slowly as if unsure of herself. Draco was brought out of his reverie and crossed his arms “I prefer calling you Granger.” She frowned at this and the moment was lost. There was no way she was going to let him kiss her now that she was angry. She mirrored his action by crossing her arms. “Are you being difficult on purpose Malfoy? I know this is odd and all but I really think we’ll have an easier time of this if we knew where we both stood with each other.” Draco realized that he WAS probably being difficult on purpose. This was much earlier than he intended to confront Granger and he hadn’t ever expected something like this from her. She wanted to call a truce and possibly become friends after the events of last night? It was a surprising turn of events and while it made his task easier, he still didn’t know how to react.

“No, I think of you as Granger and Malfoy is what I’m used to from you. Potter and I aren’t on a first name basis and I don’t think that’s something required for a truce.” Her frown deepened and for a moment she looked as though she was annoyed with him. Draco found it kind of interesting how her feelings ran across her face without fail. “Well then Malfoy…” she began sarcastically “do we have a deal then? I’ll do my best not to break into your wing of the house considering there is actual proof you won’t harm us and aren’t plotting against us.” She had dropped her hands to her side and was looking him straight in the eye as if daring him to refuse. Malfoy was amused, just like that she had went from timid to feisty in a heartbeat. She clearly didn’t know how to handle him when he was intent of having her but just as soon as he angered her; she was back to her usual self. It was knowledge he stored away for later, while admitting to himself that he was completely elated by her refreshing change of mood.

Hermione had been fully ready to hex the arrogant wizard; couldn’t he tell that she was trying? What kind of person denied someone use of their first name in a peace treaty? “We have a deal as you so eloquently put it Granger, as I stated before I think it’s a good idea. If you’ll excuse me I have a dinner to prepare.” She was caught by surprise at that “wait, you’re making dinner!?” Malfoy picked up his jacket and swung it up on his shoulder “Of course, you didn’t expect Potter to do it did you?”

Hermione shook her head, but realized that this entire time she hadn’t actually thought about how the dinner was going to be prepared. It was an oversight on her part. “Well I’ll help you then, it can be our first try at being civil to each other.” Malfoy just smirked at her before turning and heading for the door “sure, but if it turns out a disaster, just know I could have made out on my own” before disappearing down the hall. “Wanker” she mumbled under her breath before leaving the room heading for her own.

            Harry had been in the kitchen setting up the table when Malfoy strolled in sporting his usual smirk. “What’s got you in a good mood?” He asked setting down the place mat he had been holding. The blonde didn’t answer; he just went to the refrigerator and began pulling out food “well what’s for dinner then since you’re not up for sharing?” Malfoy leaned against the counter when he was finished and waved his hands in the air. Pots flew from the cupboards and settled themselves on the stove. “I was thinking a pasta dish, stuffed shells perhaps; a little muggle wine, then crème brulee for desert.” Harry nodded thoughtfully at this “I really appreciate you cooking tonight. Hermione and I didn’t really think about the food aspect of inviting someone to dinner.”

            “Which is why I’m helping him prepare it” Hermione called out as she walked into the room. Harry watched as Malfoy’s eyes lit up when he turned to look at her. He crossed an arm over the other and pointed a wooden spoon in her direction. “Last chance to back out Granger, I assure you I can manage this just fine.” She went right up to him and snatched the spoon from his fingers “not a chance Malfoy, we’ll make it through this meal together just as we agreed.” Harry quirked a brow and took a seat “am I missing something?” he asked more to the Slytherin than his best friend. Malfoy shrugged “this one asked for us to call a truce, and so I’m being the gentleman I usually am and obliging.” Hermione shook her head at this but remained silent and began mixing ingredients. Harry met Malfoy’s eyes but only got a grin in response before the blonde turned away and began adding water to one of the pots. Hermione gave her best friend a quick glance and then shrugged as if to say “just go with it.”

            Harry spent the next hour slightly suspicious and yet more amused at the behavior of his two roommates. Either they had both gone completely mental or they were giving the truce an honest go. They argued over how make the dish and then had an interesting moment where Malfoy suddenly stopped yelling mid-sentence and conceded to Hermione. Harry hadn’t been able to believe his eyes. It was clear that something was up between them, even if they couldn’t see it themselves; Harry doubted they would be getting along so well otherwise.

It was interesting to watch though, if not the slightest bit refreshing. It had been a long while since he had seen both of them completely at ease. Hermione poured herself a bit of wine and eyed the blond over the lip of the glass as he explained the proper technique to flambé the desert. “Nothing to add Granger? I was sure you would have told me I was doing it all wrong by now.” Hermione sat down across from Harry and took another small sip of her wine as she watched the man whose back was to her “nothing at all Malfoy… yet.” She shared a secret smile with herself and then blushed when she noticed Harry had been watching her. Interesting, the green eyed wizard thought as he looked from the man at the stove to his best friend.

By the time the meal was fully prepared the kitchen had a delicious aroma wafting through. Malfoy had just set the dish of stuffed shells down in the center of the table when the sound of the floo could be heard in the living room. “I’ll get her!” Hermione volunteered setting down her drink and leaving the room quickly. Harry turned to the blonde who was leaning against the counter with a small dish towel resting folded on his shoulder. “How are you two possibly getting along so well? This has been completely unexpected to say the least.” Malfoy just shrugged “she wanted a truce and so I’m doing my best to play nice for all of our sake, after all she is our roommate.” Harry wasn’t buying that though “are you sure that’s all it is? You two look mighty cozy for people who’ve just newly come to terms with trying to be civil with each other.”

“Pretty sure, Potter.”

There was the sudden creaking of floorboards and both men mutually decided to let the conversation end there. Malfoy crossed his arms over his chest and a moment later Hermione returned.

Harry’s eyes went wide as his best friend entered the room with their guest. If he had been standing he was sure he would have felt the need to sit down. Luna Lovegood wore a simple long Grecian style olive dress that fell to her ankles. It fit her shape perfectly without exposing too much of her skin except her dainty shoulders and left collar bone; while showing off the subtle curves she had. She had her dirty blonde hair up in a messy bun on the top of her head and a circlet that was wound of dark green leaves and silver around it. On her left wrist was a bracelet made of butterbeer cork halves and her fingernails were painted all different colors. Her large wide eyes were painted with makeup that matched her dress and her pale cheeks had a pretty rosy hue to them. To top it all off she had her wand behind her ear and wore converse on her feet just as she had in school.

Harry couldn’t remember seeing someone look so naturally lovely. It was as though she had figured out how to take all her eccentricities and make them…beautiful. Harry suddenly felt anxious and didn’t understand why. All he knew was that his heart was beating fast in his chest and his palms were sweaty. He tried to look away from her or at the very least say something but he didn’t want to open his mouth for fear of his jaw dropping to the floor.

Luna noticed his stare and brought her hand up to her head to touch the headpiece lightly. She must’ve thought he had been looking at it because she explained “daddy always tried to recreate Rowena Ravenclaw’s diadem, and I finally managed to do it. I went to visit Alerce in Cypress and asked to borrow a few of her leaves. She was most accommodating. I’ve even managed to incorporate the Wrackspurt siphons daddy had thought of. It’s quite effective. I find I can focus a whole lot better without my brain going all fuzzy.” Her dreamy soft voice almost made Harry want to close his eyes to have a better listen, but he didn’t want to stop looking at her long enough to do so.

Hermione’s answering laughter jolted Harry out of the daze he had been in and he forced himself to nod in his guest’s direction before managing a greeting. Hermione pulled Luna into a hug “Oh how I’ve missed you Luna and I didn’t even realize it until now.” Luna reached out slowly and wrapped her arms around the other girl and gave a small smile “that’s kind of you to say.” Hermione let her go and Malfoy came forward to envelope the small witch in his arms “long time no see Luna”. She nodded before stepping out of his embrace “it’s nice to see you again Draco, although I did have tea with your mother yesterday, she mentioned that you’ve all but abandoned her. I understand though, there were an exceptional amount of Dabberblimps in the Manor’s fountain, they’re not fun to be around.” Malfoy could only chuckle at this “it’s interesting mother would say that considering I was just there on Wednesday.”

He led Luna over to the seat next to where Harry had been sitting silently, before settling himself across from her. “I hadn’t realized you two knew each other post war” Hermione noted casually as she sat in the left over seat next to Malfoy. He passed her the glass of wine she had been sipping on and poured one for Luna as well. “I found out shortly after the war that Luna’s mother had been my godmother before her passing. Mother had apparently been the best of friends with her, so I reached out to Luna because that makes her practically family.”

“Draco is quite like the older brother, I’ve always wanted. I like him much more than I did when he was lost” Luna added with a sigh. “Lost?” Harry asked confused. Luna nodded “he was lost the entire time we knew him at school. Couldn’t you see it Harry? Draco couldn’t tell where or why he was going; it was only recently that he managed to find himself. He’s quite a lovely soul, I think.” Malfoy laughed at this assessment of himself. “Luna and I have been in contact for a while now; she’s bloody useful when I need to know about any herbs for the new potions we create.” Luna smiled brightly at the compliment and Harry began to serve the food in an attempt to get himself to focus on anything other than the interesting blonde witch.

The meal passed in pleasant conversation and the relaxed atmosphere created one of the most positive and entertaining evenings that Harry had had in a long while. Hermione asked Luna all sorts of questions about her life from the past three year, and Harry found himself staring at her more and more. He noticed how calmly she explained everything but still managed to inject every story with a special kind of energy that was unique to her. She told them about her many hunts for the strange creatures she believed in and the interesting group of wizards she had come across in Sweden. Then she got up and reenacted the short little jig they had shown her for drawing out the moon frogs. “To be quite honest though, I think they may have had moon frogs mixed up with Crumple-Horned Snorkacks. I can’t imagine moon frogs coming out of hiding for a dance.”

Harry was glad that neither Malfoy nor Hermione laughed at this. They had both adopted a kind smile whenever Luna mentioned one of her creatures. It was almost as if the three had decided with an unspoken rule to accept her ideas as a semblance of fact. He was especially proud that Hermione wasn’t pointing out the unlikelihood’s of her stories as was her usual M.O.

Draco described a new potential potion he was working on and asked Luna opinion on the potential effects the ingredients may have. Hermione excused herself to the bathroom and Harry watched as Malfoy’s eyes followed her out of the room. He seemed rather interested in whatever Hermione was doing. But with Luna engaged in a conversation and Hermione gone, Harry was afforded the opportunity to study their guest and didn’t want to bring up his suspicions to his roommate for a second time that evening. Instead he was content with inhaling the woodsy scent that was unique to the blonde witch and watching her talk.

After a few moments of listening to Luna describe her life after the war, Harry could only find things he liked about her. He noticed how she crossed her ankles under the table and shifted her legs to the side while she sat and how she would hold her hands in her lap and sit up straight when listening to someone. Luna’s entire face lit up when she smiled and she was so incredibly feminine Harry had the strangest urge to sit her on his lap as she talked so that he would be her sole focus. Hermione returned minutes later and took her seat easily, sparing a quick glance to the wizard beside her. But Harry wasn’t truly paying attention to what his roommates were doing. All he noticed was that Luna took small precise bites when she ate and looked as though she was absolutely enjoying every single mouthful. It was all so elegant.

Luna is unbelievably adorable Harry caught himself thinking, and he couldn’t help but grin when she gasped in excitement as she told another one of her stories. Hermione and Malfoy were laughing openly and leaning closer to one another than Harry knew they even realized and he suddenly was reminded of a double date. This evening was akin to that of one of the most amazing unintentional double dates that he had ever been on.

A small part of him felt terrible for even thinking that, while things were on the rocks with Ginny. But a much larger part, the part that was slowly burgeoning into life as Luna ran her small finger across her plate and tasted the spaghetti sauce with quick little licks, pushed that thought far away. He wasn’t doing anything but enjoying an evening out with his friends, he tried to reason with himself. She went for a second helping and Harry could not force himself to look away as her small pink tongue darted out to clean up the sauce. Harry felt the pump of arousal crash through his system. He wasn’t usually the type to openly fantasize about attractive women, but she was making quick work of the sauce and Harry could almost feel every little flick against his cock. Her mouth was small, so small he doubted he would even be able to fit but merlin how he wanted to try. He could practically see her lips wrapped around the head of his cock as her tongue licked his cum clean.

Malfoy cleared his throat and gave Harry a knowing look that thankfully both Hermione and Luna missed. Harry turned slightly further away from the oblivious girl who was enjoying the last of her dinner and prayed that his erection would go away before he was forced to stand up. “So how has the Quibbler been Luna?” Hermione asked finishing up her meal.

“It’s truly wonderful. Daddy has let me take full reign and I’m writing all about his daily findings. I think our readers enjoy the change in pace. If we keep discussing all the interesting creatures we keep discovering, our readers may get discouraged because they’ll never be able to find these creatures themselves. It takes a special mind to find them daddy told me.” She gazed off into the distance with a dreamy look in her eyes before adding “although I will admit, it was surprising when you contacted me Sunday night Draco… I’m not used …”

“Let’s have dessert shall we?” Malfoy suggested suddenly, standing and cutting the blonde witch off. He went to grab utensils to serve the desert with, but Hermione had caught on. “Something Malfoy doesn’t want us to know, sounds just like a story we’d love to hear. Right Harry? Please do tell.”

“Just for help with a new potion we’re developing.” Malfoy responded before Luna could even open her mouth. Harry noticed Malfoy’s unusual forthcoming responses and suddenly understood. He grinned as his roommate stood there frozen with spoons in his hands and waited for Hermione to understand what it all meant.

Luna looked between the faces of her old friends and was amused by the sudden turn of events. She had been flattered when Hermione had written to thank her for the article but wanted more than anything for Hermione to be able to praise her true savior. Luna had been on the hunt for moon frogs for her new expose when the owl had reached her. She had agreed to dinner instead of setting the older witch straight because she wanted to be there for the precise moment that was now unfolding in front of her. Draco was cornered and trying his best to avoid having the impending conversation.

“What did he contact you for Luna?” Hermione prodded looking to the Slytherin wizard. Luna met the gaze of the man she had grown to adore, poor dear, he’s already so far gone she thought before smiling “to write the article of course.” Hermione’s eyes went wide and she could only place her hands calmly on the table. Draco sighed and took a step farther back away from them. He opened his mouth to explain but nothing came out. His cheeks flushed red and Luna took delight in seeing him so openly caught out. It had been a truly kind thing to do for the witch he liked and Hermione deserved to know the truth.

“How did you know Ginny would do it?” Harry asked his roommate, sitting back in his chair in such a way that Luna wouldn’t notice his hard on. There was a warm feeling settling in his chest. Once again Malfoy had managed to do something incredibly insightful, but this time he had helped Hermione and that was an accomplishment Harry appreciated greatly. Malfoy held up his hands in front of himself as he explained. “As lovely as I’m sure your girlfriend is Potter, she’s slightly mental. And the only thing she had power over right now is the press. I just figured she would probably abuse that power and called Luna so we could circumvent it. Plus the prophet owes me a couple favors. I didn’t do anything important though. Luna wrote such a good article, that the prophet was begging to post it.”

Luna shook her head “oh no you don’t, the content of the article was all your idea Draco. I had the easier part of the deal.” Malfoy poured himself a drink in response before sitting back down next to Hermione and refraining from looking in her direction.

Hermione didn’t know what to do in light of this new discovery. Malfoy had saved her from humiliation at the hands of Ginny without her even having a clue. He had done a genuinely kind thing for her just because he could and hadn’t even wanted thanks. Hermione felt like a louse for suspecting him the entire time. She found herself thinking back to the new information she had learned about Malfoy and she found that she preferred the description of Malfoy that Luna had provided. He was lost… and now he’s found himself. If it’s possible that I never really got to see the real him while at school, who is Draco Malfoy and why do I suddenly find myself so incredibly happy at the thought of a possible friendship with him?

Hermione was conflicted; she wanted to thank him but didn’t even know how to begin. Here she had spent all week talking about how she would thank Luna for her kind defense, but was falling short in lieu of Malfoy being her savior. Two words Hermione, just say them. She told herself sternly, she could not let this moment pass without speaking up. It would be one of the greatest injustices of her life.

She turned to the man that was she was sitting next to and looked him over. She noticed that Malfoy had the most adorable flush on his cheeks and instantly understood that he must not have been used to getting caught in the midst of one of his schemes. She reached out and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder “thank you for everything Malfoy; you’ve helped me out more than you know in the past few years.” He mumbled something non-committal and tried his best to not draw any more attention to himself and for the second time in moments Hermione was surprised.

She would have expected Malfoy to brag at his efforts but instead here he was looking bashful and drinking way too much wine, in order to avoid discussing it. She could only smile in response and squeeze his shoulder lightly before turning back to the other two. Luna smiled brightly at the scene and Harry had a large grin on his face.

Harry suggested that Luna continue on telling them her stories and Hermione was grateful for the sudden shift in the conversation. Malfoy’s apparent change of personality in the last 4 years was both too much to handle and possibly one of the most pleasing surprises she had ever encountered. He was clearly intelligent and an amazing wizard and if they could somehow come to terms with each other, she knew that they would have great times together. Who would have guessed that I would ever want Malfoy as a friend? She thought in passing as she reached for more wine. But she ultimately dropped that though with a small shrug of her shoulders, stranger things have happened.

Sometime later after Malfoy had suggested they all move onto desert. Luna placed a soft hand on top of Harry’s and smiled “this dinner was nice Harry, almost as if we were all the best of friends.” Hermione smiled at the blonde’s blunt observation and Malfoy began cleaning up the dishes. Harry ran his free hand through his long hair and did his best not to think about how warm her small hand was over his. Her skin was soft and pale against his rough darker flesh and he was suddenly thinking of what a picture the two of them would make in his bed. All her light against all his dark, joined in between her thighs. Harry laughed shakily “well we are friends Luna.”

“Oh I know” she confirmed in a soft sing-song kind of voice. “Tonight the feeling was rather tangible though. It was quite lovely.” Their eyes met and Harry felt ensnared by her silver like starlight gaze. Luna ran an unconscious tongue along her pink bottom lip and Harry wished that he hadn’t noticed her mouth. She leaned slightly closer to him as she looked up to him. “You’ve got the most amazing colored eyes Harry Potter, they’re a bit tired looking, sad even, but still amazing. They’re like the green of a forest run rampant; wild and dark and completely awe inspiring.”

Harry knew that he should thank Luna for the compliment but he didn’t know what to say. It was possibly the most unique compliment that he had ever received and he found that he quite like the fact that she had thought his eyes were “awe inspiring”. He had received tons of praise in the past for his appearance and looks, but never so randomly or honest. Harry opened his mouth to thank her, when there was the creaking of floorboards and a familiar red head stepped into the doorway “well isn’t this cozy.”

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A Match Made In Convenience