Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Empire	By : waymay & Alcoholic_Rootbeer Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 12288 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or the characters written in this story; everything belongs to the wonderful J.K. Rowling. I don't make any profit from these stories!

Chapter List
- 7
- 8
- 9
A/N: Hi! I know it's been a week or so since the last chapter, and I'm sorry for being so slow to update! I've been working on a super heartfelt story called Background, and it actually takes me a long time to write out a single chapter, and I don't like skipping between stories while I'm working on a chapter. Anyway! If you haven't had the opportunity to, please check out Background! It started off as a one-short and it ended up being a 3 part thing. It's very close to my heart 'cause much of it is reflected on my life. It IS a love triangle between Hermione, Draco, and Blaise, but I promise you it's good. Give it a chance. :)
Anyway! This chapter was A LOT of fun for me to write! It's just silliness everywhere, and I think you guys will enjoy the ending. :)
ANNNDD... Thank you once again to Mr. Benzedrine for proofing and giving me ideas to make this chapter even more awesome! She recently published a one-shot called Starlight. Be sure to check it out. It has all the feels, and you won't be disappointed.
Chapter 8
Dine and Sign
The morning sun was much too bright for Draco as he squeezed his eyes shut in an attempt to block out the garish light. A leg was draped over the back frame of the couch, and the other hung freely off the edge, his toes pressed against the rug. Both his arms dangled off the edge of the settee, having fallen asleep in a very awkward position. His brain rattled in his head as he pushed himself up from the couch -his bones creaking and popped as Draco straightened his body.
He peeked through slitted eyelids, staring at the coffee table in front of him, and a weary groan escaped his lips. The table was littered with empty bottles of expensive liquor with several glasses filled to the brim with undrunk alcohol. "Bullocks..." Draco sighed, taking the container and squinting at the brown liquid. Maybe it was still good.
A loud snore erupted, scaring Draco in his delicate state and spilling the drink all over his arm- and his costly rug. "Oh, bloody Hell!" he exclaimed, slamming the cup back down, hoping it would wake his slumbering friend, but the Italian merely acknowledged him in another snore, stirring ever so slightly. "Prat."
Just how many times had Blaise come over already? While Draco complained about not having enough time in a day, Blaise had way too much. The man insisted on coming over almost every night. 'To catch up on old times,' he would say. Each time Blaise was over, the two of them would drink themselves into a stupor, recounting old stories, telling dumb jokes, and trying to outdrink each other -which was probably the cause of his daily hangovers. Probably.
Nonetheless, they enjoyed their time together, although the whole waking up hungover deal could be done without.
After he glared daggers at the sleeping Blaise, hoping his icy stares would suddenly send chills down the man's back and wake him up, Draco decided a quick fix would do the job to get his day started. Another pop in his back sounded as the blonde slowly pushed himself off the couch. Was he getting that old already? He massaged his back with a balled up fist, hammering at the knot in his spine.
Small bottles of Cure-All potions sat in a glass cabinet next to the liquor case. They were the ones he preserved for when he brewed it for Granger. The corner of his lips twitched as he thought about the witch. Draco uncorked a vial, taking a small sip to make sure the potion was still fresh. A sweet honey-like taste burst in his mouth, and the grogginess slowly disappeared. Good, the potion hadn't expired.
Knock. Knock.
"Huh?" An automatic response came from the sleeping man, curled up on the armchair.
Stupid... Draco snorted through his nostrils, rolling his eyes as he downed the rest of the potion before making his way over towards the front door.
With a turn of the handle, he swung the door open, and their eyes met.
"Granger?"
His brows creased in confusion at her random appearance. As he was about to make another comment, Draco noticed those soft brown orbs dart down towards his chest. His eyes followed. Oh! He wasn't wearing a shirt? Then again, he did run hot. Most nights, even during the winter, he would sleep shirtless and often times without pants. He scrunched his neck a bit, looking down at his legs -okay, pants were on.
Her cheeks reddened at his unkempt sight. Granger was only used to seeing him dressed up, not...down. It might have been a sight for her to see. His lips twitched, and he arched a brow. Was she... Was she embarrassed?
"So," he started, wearing a wicked smirk. "What brought you over to my... humble abode this lovely morning?" He kept his voice low, propping an arm against the doorframe, flexing every bit of muscle. The other arm hung at his side, a thumb hooking onto the belt loop. Draco tugged a bit on the thin fabric, bringing his pants down ever so slightly, showing off the 'v' of his pelvic muscle.
Oh, Merlin... Granger was as red as a ripe tomato; her eyes darted towards his crotch, and she quickly turned away, clearing her throat. Her actions were so predictable, but seeing her cheeks turn rosy because of him -well, it was enthralling. She mumbled as she licked her lips- those plump, red -Oh, what did she say?
"Come again?"
"I said..." she sighed, her eyes fluttering shut, refusing to steal another glance at Draco. "We agreed to have a meeting today. To talk about your...um, stuff." Granger coughed at her poor choice of words, regretting it.
Shitfuckshit. Was that today? Was that now? Draco's demeanor changed: his back straightened and his arms dropped down to his sides. So, she wasn't...just...dropping by for fun? It was actually for work? Oh, of course. He mentally smacked himself upside the head; they'd planned for another meeting when he visited her at the joke shoppe and confirmed the date a few days later. Fuck -how could he just forget about that?
Draco must have been a little louder than he had intended while toying around with Granger, since Blaise lounged in the loveseat, watching the two interact with each other. A weird expression rested on his face. The blonde tried so hard to capture the attention of the bookworm, but she just looked the other way, refusing to give him any mind. A wicked grin swept across Blaise's face as he nearly jumped off (quietly, as to not disturb the two) his seat.
The Italian tiptoed over towards his flustered friend, and with a clean swoop, or so to speak, he wrapped his arms around Draco, pulling him into his embrace. His hand cupped the blonde man's shoulders, his middle finger drawing small circles on his pale complexion, leaving little traces of red marks. Without giving Draco the opportunity to react, Blaise leaned in, giving Draco a rough kiss on the cheek.
"Oh!" A quiet gasp came from Granger as a hand quickly flew up to her mouth, covering the 'O' shaping her lips.
"Oy!" Draco tensed as he saw her expression, and snapped his head towards Blaise, shoving the man away from him. He quickly wiped at his reddening cheek, brushing away whatever disgusting, filthy, horrifying germs the man might have spread onto him. He glanced over towards the frizzy haired witch then towards his friend, who was barreled over in laughter, unsure who to focus on first.
"I...I didn't know you and Blaise were dating." Her eyes were wide with shock. "Con...Congratul-"
"-We're not!" Draco nearly snapped as his friend's bellowing continued distracted him. "Damn it, Blaise!" He swung a leg to kick him, but the Italian quickly jumped out of the way, avoiding his blow. "He's just being a sodding bellend!" He tried kicking Blaise once more, though to no avail.
Giving up, he looked to Granger, still standing outside in the hallway, and desperately yanked her into the apartment, hoping no one overheard their conversation.
Rum... scotch... cognac, and even bourbon bottles cluttered the living room. Just how much could these two men drink? Or perhaps they held a party and hadn't had time to clean up. Given Malfoy's disheveled look, Hermione's cheeks flushed once again; he'd just woken up.
She sat on the couch: her back straightened, knees pressed against each other and feet planted firmly on the dirty rug. Her eyes were staring at the table, a bit too intensely. Malfoy mentioned he was going into his bedroom to freshen up -ten minutes ago, so she sat in the living room with the very strange Italian man.
He continued to giggle every few seconds or so over the incident, taking sips of bourbon he'd conjure up.
"Drinking this early in the morning can't be good for you." Hermione peeked over towards the man as he propped his legs up on the table, carelessly knocking bottles onto the ground.
A smirk danced across his lips as he savored the toasty aroma of the alcohol. "Oh, I'll be more than happy to stop drinking." Zabini dropped his feet onto the ground with a thud, leaning in towards the witch. The corner of his lips turned upward as he stared at her. "As long as you're willing to provide me some...sugar." The Italian bit his lower lip, raising suggestive brows at the woman.
Red could be seen crawling up her slender neck and pooling around her cheeks. Hermione, uncertain how to respond to the man's action, decided to count the empty bottles. One, two, three, four-five-six-seven- Why was he getting so close to her? Since when did he move next to her? Wasn't he sitting on the other settee?
His smile grew wider as he leaned closer towards Hermione, and as if her prayers were answered, a book lowered between their faces, blocking Zabini's advancement. She turned back, her mood lifted, seeing a clothed Malfoy holding the book, scowling at his friend. "Bugger off, you twat." Without a warning, he popped his friend in the face with the hardcover literature, forcing him to back off.
How odd the Italian's mood didn't change, and, instead, he grabbed onto his nose and giggled away like a school kid.
"Don't think I won't tell Millicent where you've been hiding!" Malfoy threatened the Italian, whose eyes widened in horror as he mentioned the particular Slytherin troll, and quickly jumped off the couch, scurrying over towards the inactive fireplace.
"Yeah, yeah, don't let me ruin your precious little...date." Zabini reached for the Floo powder while activating the pit. He turned towards the couple, sending a wink over towards Hermione. "If things don't work out with this pretty boy," he waggled a finger towards the fuming blonde, "Know there's always another one around the corner, ready to sweep you off your feet." With his unoccupied hand, he blew a kiss to the blushing witch and disappeared through the transport.
Hermione was finding the room much too hot -and it was winter! She took off her overcoat, neatly folding it and setting it next to her, and fanned herself with her hand. The glow on her rosy cheeks would never going away.
With a wave of his wand, Malfoy cleared off the table from all its messy contents, though the stains were already set in the rug. He seated himself next to Hermione, running fingers through his damp tresses. Whoever knew his hair would curl just a bit whenever it was wet? It looked good. "So -you have work for us?"
"Oh, yes!" Gone was the shy, red-faced woman and was replaced with the confident facade Hermione was so used to wearing, pulling out all the paperworks from her magical satchel. "Here are some of the..." she grunted, shoving her entire arm into her bag, blindly searching for the tiny gadgets. "Merlin, where are they? Oh! Found them." She pulled out a handful of tracking devices for Malfoy to use in his plan with Madoff. "Here. Remember, don't turn it on until the money's going into the bank."
She gently placed the devices into the palm of his hands as he accepted them. Their fingers grazed against each other's once more, and there it was -a jolt zapped her appendages. Except this time, he felt it, too. With a slight jump, he pulled back his hand, staring down his fingers with furrowed brows then back towards her.
Malfoy licked his lips, making light of the situation. "Looks like our magic like each other."
"It's just friction," she stated as a matter-of-factly, thought she continued to rub at the pads of her fingers. "It happens a lot in the winter due to the heat build up in our homes or our bodies."
"Tsk- looks like we're going to be recounting the stories of Tales of Granger the Geek," He set the devices in a cup that didn't get conjured away into the washing bin.
With a cock of an eyebrow, she smirked at the blonde. "Draco Malfoy, are you jealous of me?"
"Jealous? Me? Tell me- what was your score in N.E.W.T.s for Potions? Hm?" He gave her a lopsided smirk, knowing he would win this exchange.
She stared at him, an eye twitching as his comment. Hermione cleared her throat, changing the subject. "So, aside from the devices, I figured we could transfigure some of objects into the sketches you have-"
"I got an Outstanding. Just saying."
"Congratulations, Malfoy. Would you like a chocolate frog with that?" she snapped. Merlin, the stupid wizard was so pompous sometimes. "Accio sketches!" Hermione continued to send glares at the blonde through squinted eyelids as sheets upon sheets of paper floated out from his bedroom and stacked themselves neatly onto the table. "Now-" Hermione grabbed the top sketch, "-for the, um-" her brows furrowed as she tilted her head to the side, "-cape."
It was a simple enough start to get the ball rolling with their meeting. Using her coat as the guinea pig to transfigure into Malfoy's prototype, Hermione pointed her wand, "commutavi capa." The jacket contorted, folding and shifting in size, buttons and sleeves disappearing. And the overall look and feel of the new product was...lacking, to be honest. Hermione bit down on her bottom lip as the corners of her mouth threatened to turn up into a smile.
Oh, it looked so elementary. Her chest palpitated a few times as she tried to hold in a laugh. From the corner of her eyes, she could see Malfoy's pale features glow red in embarrassment at the transformation. While the coat did, in fact, change into a cape, the result was, clearly, not what they expected.
"So...I'm guessing you got a Troll for your N.E.W.T.s in art class?" She sniggered, continuing to stare down at the piece of crudely cut cape.
"I didn't take art."
"Well, I'm not surprised, then." Try as she may, she couldn't hold in anymore and released a giggle. "Oh, haha! I'm sorry -your... hahaha, your sketches are great, pfthahaha-" Hermione patted his arm as he scowled at her, his cheeks tinted pink. "I -mmnhahaha- look at this!" She picked up the cape, expecting the fabric to drape over, but instead it held its shape, stiff like a cardboard. "Merlin! Hahaha!"
"Oh! Put a sock in it!" He shoved Hermione, snatching the cape away from her, possessive over his own design. "It's not that bad..."
Coming down from her laughing spell, she wiped away at her eye as tears spilled. "Of course, it's not! It's -hahaha- it's wonderful."
While they occasionally found something to laugh at, Hermione and Malfoy buckled down to business. The two of them discussed spells to use for each item as they transfigured them one by one. Hermione jotting down notes while he suggested different spells they could try on the real prototypes.
"Maybe we can...find someone who's an artist?" She picked up the fifth item they transfigured with her pointer and thumb. It looked like some sort of oddly shaped phallus, though, it was supposed to be a foot peg to hook onto the broom so novice flyers wouldn't fall off so easily. Another icy glare was shot in her direction before Hermione apologized quickly, chuckling, "I'm sorry! I didn't mean it -just, this looks highly...inappropriate."
Silence was welcomed between the two of them as they worked next to each other. Draco, sketching new designs (and trying to make them look better) while Granger -well, what was she doing?
He arched his back, feigning a yawn, stretching his arms towards the ceiling and stole a glance over to the witch. Oh, she was just doing paperwork for the Weasel's store. Boring. Wait -wasn't she supposed to be helping him with his business? Without a warning, he pulled out the paper from her lap.
"Hey!" she chided, trying to take back her paperwork.
"You're supposed to be helping me," he said, almost sounding hurt.
"You were working on new concepts -I figured I'd catch up with my other job." Granger lowered her hand, setting it onto her lap. "Plus, I think we might be close to finished anyway."
Were they? Draco glanced around the room seeing all the transfigure attempts displayed on the table. Four, five, six items pretty much figured out and to be taken into the manufacturing company to product a more stable prototype and perhaps even wearables. But... he glanced over at the clock, it was only noon; she couldn't leave just yet.
"Well, I've got some other things I need you to look at." He returned the document to her, the witch wearing a quizzical expression on her face. "But what about lunch first?" Draco patted his stomach, "I'm famished."
"Lunch sounds great!" Granger smiled, taking the new sketches Draco worked on. "Where to?"
"I've got just the place." He stood from the couch, fetching his coat from the hanger, shrugging it on.
The witch gathered the sketches Draco worked on earlier. "I'm going to take a look at these while we walk there, then."
Definitely a geek, he thought watching the woman bury her face in the sketches, reading all the little notes he had written down earlier. He kept his eyes on Granger as she silently made her way down the steps of the Leaky Cauldron, not once tripping over herself. Maybe she had some sort of third eye hiding somewhere in that bird's nest she called hair.
Draco slipped his hand into the pocket of his coat, shuddering from the freezing wind while Granger seemed unfazed from the weather. He looked back at her once more -when did she bring a quill with her? The ink bottle floating next to her as she dabbed the tip into container, scratching in her ideas and comments. He rolled his eyes, shaking his head from side to side as he came to a stop at the crosswalk, waiting for carriages to bustle on by.
So, Granger could walk down stairs, weave between pedestrians, but apparently, when it came to crossing the street, she had no sense. Draco watched, waiting for some sort of response from the dense Gryffindor and as she was about to step onto the busy street, he grabbed the crook of her arm, yanking her back, his sketches floating into the air, down onto the crowded road. "Oy!" He frowned, as she flew into his chest, her face concealed in his sternum for a moment before looking up at him with those big sheepish eyes. "Pay attention, why don't you? Unless you want your face buried in the cobble stone, instead?"
He released his grip on her arm, pushing her off ever so slightly and moving to pick up the wet, ruined sketches he worked so hard on. But he wasn't even upset about that. Draco wouldn't show it, but his heart was rattling against his ribcage. The scent singed into his nostrils as he inhaled the cold air -honey and lemon with a hint of ink and parchment. He silently cursed at the stupid muscle, demanding it to slow down. Whatever. Maybe it was because the damned witch was almost ran over by a carriage. That was probably it -adrenaline.
"Oh -I'm so sorry, Malfoy," she piped up, her voice quiet, apologetic as she gathered whatever artwork remained. A drying charm couldn't even save these now, just scraps of useless parchment.
Whatever. He dropped the paper back onto the ground. It wasn't worth salvaging anymore.
Draco continued to lead the witch to their restaurant destination, though he picked up the pace, taking big strides with each movement. He could hear Granger scuttling behind him, trying to keep up and apologizing continuously for messing up all his hard work. That wasn't even it -he was just trying to get away, even if for just a second, so he could reset his stupid heart. Instinctively, he pounded on his chest with a balled up first.
"We're here," he finally said, glancing over towards the flustered witch as she tried to catch her breath. They stood in front of a relatively small looking yellow building with no other signs of life wandering around. But -it's why he chose this place in the first place. Not because no one knew where it was, but it was a hole-in-the-wall that Granger wouldn't have known about.
She, awkwardly, thanked him as he opened the door for him, giving him a skeptical look as they entered the joint. For a brief moment, she'd forgotten about his silent treatment towards her and stared at the restaurant in awe. It was quaint and simple -oddly enough, the store reminded him of the frizzy-haired witch. The walls were painted lightly pink, just like the flush of her cheeks. The tables and chairs were sandy brown, the same color of her hair. Everything was neatly organized, much like her habits, and bookshelves lined the back wall, filled with muggle and magical literatures. "Wow..." She whispered, smiling at Draco. "Did you pick this place for me?"
"I figured you would appreciate it." He unbuttoned his coat as the waitress seated them, next to the window. He hung his coat on the slack of the chair, seating himself. The witch, however, kept staring at the bookcases, eager to see what was on the menu.
"Do, do you mind if I-?"
And with a wave of his hand, Granger nearly jumped, hopped, and skipped over to the back, pulling out several books at a time, looking at their name, and slipping the ones she'd probably read back in it's place. Draco couldn't help but smile to himself at her actions; she really did look like she belonged.
"Have you read this one?" She came back with a stack of books. Her eyes wide with disbelief at her find. "It's called Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. This is the first edition! In pristine condition!" She opened the front cover of the book once she set the rest of the literature onto the table, "Look! It even has her signature!"
"Yea -she was a witch, afterall." He took the book, flipping through the pages carelessly as Granger cringed outwardly at the way he handled the book. "All these books were written by witches and wizards of the past -Welcome to the Athenaeum."
Granger plopped down onto her seat for the first time, amazed. "I can't believe there's a restaurant like this! How amazing..." Her eyes were fixated on the other books, the determination to read them was strong- but her company was more important than a set of books. Perhaps she'd make this place a weekly visit, now. "Thank you." A smile flitted across her lips, unable to contain the excitement of being in one of her favorite places - a library. Let alone a library which served food.
The two of them enjoyed each other's company as they waited for their meal. Granger looked through the books, and Draco watched her, though he kept trying to look anywhere else but. There just wasn't much going on, and he'd get so bored staring out at... birds or whatever shite was out there. Okay. So, maybe he wasn't even trying, but the witch's smile was just much too intoxicating to not stare at.
She finally set down the books when food arrived, and a loud growl erupted from her stomach at the delicious aroma. Her cheeks reddened -Merlin, just how many times did he watch her blush today? It... looked really cute on her.
"Let's hope your table manners are more ladylike than your stomach." Draco glanced down at his food, waiting for Granger to dig into hers first. Time slipped through their fingers today. They'd work so hard and long, and enjoyed their time so that being hungry wasn't even a priority- until he inhaled the mouthwatering smell of his Moroccan sausage omelette.
Hush fell between them once more as they focused on their entreè, both of them taking big bites to fill their empty stomachs in an attempt to satisfy their starving selves.
"Mmmm..."
Draco's eyes snapped onto Granger's as they fluttered shut. His food was halfway from reaching his mouth when he froze. Did she -did she just moan? At her food?
"Mmm..." There she goes again. Oh, Merlin... With a quick clear of his throat, her eyes opened, blinking, unaware of her previous actions.
He shifted around a little bit in his seat, trying to get into a more comfortable position. "So... Weasley's hair- Why don't you just give him a regrowth potion?"
"If he didn't think to give himself a potion, then he doesn't deserve a one." Her tone was cold at the mention of her ex.
"That's cold, Granger," Draco smirked at her response, approving her actions. "Maybe you should have been sorted into Slytherin, instead."
"Perhaps -I would have dethroned you in an instant. You're not worried?"
"Please," he scoffed, rolling his eyes. "The crown wouldn't even fit with such massive hair you have."
"What's with you and my hair, Malfoy?" She squinted at him as she set her utensils down, finished with her lunch. "It's like... you're obsessed." Granger picked up her glass of water, taking a small sip.
Another roll of his eyes came her way, "It's not obsession when it's right in front of my face." With his hands, he gestured the puffiness of her hair -as if she'd be caught in some aftermath explosion in the potions lab. She giggled as he pulled out a coin satchel, dumping about three galleons onto the table. "Ready?"
Granger nodded, conjuring the books back onto the shelf, and exited the restaurant. "Thank you for lunch." She shuddered as a gust of wind swept through them, and like any gentleman would, he offered his coat to her.
"So tell me, Granger," Malfoy started after retrieving two butterbeers from the bar back at Leaky Cauldron and handed one off to his companion. Hermione accepted a pint, following him up to his room. The blonde wizard turned to glance at the witch as they ascended the steps. "Does the rug really match the carpet?"
"What?" She furrowed her brows as his inquiry.
He unlocked the door, pushing it open for her to enter first. "Do I need to spell it out for you?"
"I've no earthly idea what you're talking about!" She placed the glass on the table as she slipped off his heavy coat, a whiff of mint, entered her nose. Her eyes shut as the smell awakened her insides, but the moment was soon ruined by the immature man.
"Damn it, Granger. Pay attention!" He felt like he was trying too hard to get his answer, but it was already too late. "Do his pubes match the color of his hair?"
"Oh, Merlin!" She chucked the coat at the blonde, trying her best to put on a frown, but Hermione clearly failed. "Perhaps you're obsessed with another thing? You know you could tell me if you and Zabini are a couple," the witch smirked, cocking a brow. "I promise I won't tell."
Malfoy laughed, catching the coat before it hit him in the face. "I'm too pretty for Blaise." He took a sip of his sweet drink before making his way into his bedroom to fetch something. Hermione made herself comfortable back onto the couch, looking at the failed prototypes they conjured up earlier. The corner of her lips turned upwards.
God, these looked so bad.
The blonde wizard returned, carrying a relatively thick stack of paper and dropped it onto the table. "I forgot to mention this to you, but I got a lawyer to draft up a contract for you." Hermione glanced down at the papers then towards Malfoy, confusion written all over her face. "Once you sign it, you'll be working with me as an official partner." He took another sip of his drink; it was almost half gone. "This way, you can get paid for all the hours you've been working with me."
She picked up the stack, flipping through it quickly, though never actually reading it. "Thank you for this, Malfoy, really, but we don't necessarily need to be partners for this all to work." Hermione set it down onto her lap, her hands holding it in place as she glanced up towards the wizard, who stood towering over her. He seemed so daunting for some reason. "I'm just happy to help."
"You don't want to get paid?"
"Money's not everything, Malfoy." Hermione turned her attention back towards the papers, her fingers strumming against it. "I have plenty of it. Don't worry about me."
"I don't need your bloody charity, Granger," he snapped, suddenly in a foul mood. His voice was cold and full of spite -almost as if she'd said something to rub him the wrong way. Her eyes met Malfoy's once more.
Why did he have to use that word? Charity? It's exactly what she didn't want him to think. Couldn't he see she was doing it out of the goodness of her heart? And not because he was some philanthropy project? "What are you talking about 'charity'? I'm not looking to offer you charity! I know you and your family are going through some tough times! Even you said it yourself -money's been stolen from you, millions of galleons, and you're here thinking I'm spending all this time with you because of charity?"
"This is exactly what charity means!"
"What?"
"Why won't you take the sodding money, Granger? Get paid like every bloke who works their asses off. Is it because my money is dirty?" She could see the rage fueled in his eyes. "Just like how my family is dirty? Are you so ashamed of working with a Malfoy that you won't even sign the fucking papers?"
Hermione shot up at the comment. The documents fell onto the ground with a loud thud, but it was ignored as the two of them glared at each other, unblinking, almost as if they were trying to see who would win the staring content. She debated on leaving. It would have been the best bet -just to let this all blow over, for him to cool down and see her side of things. But then again, if she walked out right now, wouldn't she be like all the rest of them? All of his friends who left him because of the damned mark on his left arm?
So, instead, Hermione conceded and sat back down. "To prove to you that I am not ashamed of working with a bloody Malfoy, I will sign the damned paper." She pulled the same quill and ink out from her satchel that she had during the walk to Athenaeum and signed her name neatly onto the blank spaces -ten signatures total. "But, I will not accept any form of payment from you. That is our compromise." She set the writing utensil onto the document, wrapping up her speech. "And if you insist, I will not hesitate to terminate this contract. So-donate the money to actual charity, instead."
Malfoy, having calmed down after she signed the papers, nodded in agreement.
He sipped on scotch, now. The empty pint of what was once butterbeer sat, dangerously, at the corner on the coffee table, waiting to be knocked over at any moment. Not a single word exchanged from the pair after she officially became his business partner. His eyes darted over towards her -Granger twiddling her thumbs while staring at her unfinished butterbeer.
Then out of nowhere, "Brown."
"What?"
A half-smile appeared on her lips as her eyes crescented into their own twinkling smile. "The rug is brown," then a giggle as she finally made eye contact with Draco. His expression didn't help much more.
It took him a moment to comprehend her out-of-the-blue statement, but once he caught on, he grimaced. The bridge of his nose scrunching up and his brows furrowed, almost touching each other. "Oh, Granger! I didn't actually want to know."
Her hands were covering her lips as she tried to hold back her laugh, a single tear trailing down her cheeks as she contained in her chortle. "Sure, you didn't! Just like you said you and Zabini weren't in the middle of doing things this morning!"
The two of them shared a laugh, recounting his friend's crazy behavior. Draco could always count on Blaise to be some sort of comedic relief -that was for sure.
When their amusement died down, Granger kept their conversation alive, determined to keep the fire going. "So, Malfoy," she shifted into a more comfortable position, crossing her legs into a pretzel-style onto the couch and rested her hands on her ankle. "Do you have a company name?"
Draco leaned back onto the settee, his arm propped along the back and the other rested on his chest with his glass of scotch. "I do, actually."
"Tell me."
"Draco Ascendens."
"Ascending Dragon?" She smirked, tilting her head to the side, a stray lock of hair falling in front of her face. "It's so Malfoy of you to have your first name in the title."
He took a sip of his drink, shrugging at her quip.
"I'm really happy to see you be more yourself." Granger tucked the ringlet behind her ear before dropping her hand down onto her lap.
Another sip, paired with a skip from his heart. "You barely know me."
"I know enough." She spoke quietly, her eyes never leaving his. "I know of 'the boy who had no choice.' I know of Lucius's controlling, manipulative nature forcing certain xenophobic beliefs onto you at a young age-"
Draco frowned at the comment, "Don't talk about my father like that. You don't know him. He is a good man -raised me right. Spoiled his only son to no end. Whatever I wanted, I got. He was loyal until the very bitter end, protecting his family as he saw fit-"
The witch raised a hand, silencing him as he went into a spiel about his father. "And you're nothing like your father. As good as a man you think he is, you are so much better than him."
"You really think you know me, Granger?" He leaned in, glaring at the witch, but she didn't falter. Instead, the witch sat up straighter than ever, her head held high, proud. Damn Gryffindors.
"Yes, actually. The faded mark on your arm..." she scooted closer towards him, gentle hands pushing against the sleeve of his left arm, stopping at his elbow. Her fingers traced along the discolored Dark Mark, and a shudder ran down his spine. It'd been so long since he'd been touched so delicately, let alone on his arm. No one ever looked at it or even tried to acknowledge its existence. The only time they did was to look away, pretending it was never there. "How you're forced to wear this every single day -for the rest of your life. How this forces people to judge you immediately. I know this pain. I understand it all too well." Her hand stopped over his, grasping his tightly, comforting him though he refused to show any signs of emotion.
Granger continued. "I know what it's like -everyone looking at you, thinking they know you-"
"Tsk." He pulled his hand away, looking off to the side. Anywhere but her. Crazy witch didn't even know what she was talking about. Where did she go off talking all high and mighty as if she was better than him?
"But I do-" She pulled his attention back onto her as she reached for his hand once more, unafraid of Draco. "Being a war hero -it's not glamorous." The pads of her fingers traced along the veins of his hand. "Everyone thinks they know your story. Everyone expects you to act a certain way. To be an inspiration to the new generation. To set an example for everyone. To be the good of the world when the rest is going to shit. My parents, my family, my whole life on display for the entire world to see. People following your every move-"
"-eyes and ears everywhere. You're never alone." He sighed, staring down at her dainty hands. To imagine, these delicate hands once scratched and bloodied, fighting for her life in the War. "I get it," Draco whispered, his hand turning slightly and their fingers laced through each other's, grasping, holding on, afraid to let go. Afraid to lose this witch's caress.
"You're not alone in this, Draco," she whispered. Their eyes met, really seeing each other for the first time.
His heart stopped and an ache, so strange to him, appeared, creating a knot in his chest. For the first time in his life, someone was beating against the icy walls of his soul, determined to knock it down and save him from the Hell he threw himself into. No one ever stood next to him, not since the War. Not once did anyone offer a word of support. Not once was there a hand to hold -until now.
She bit her lower lip, hiding a smile as her cheeks grew pink. "I'm here for you. Always."
Draco leaned in, dropping his drink without care; he grasped the back of her neck and pulled her into him. Their lips met in an awkward clash. Her body stiffened at his move, but in the heat of the moment, she melted into his touch, reveling in the taste of his soft lips. He gently nipped at her bottom lip, eliciting a whimper from the witch. His eyes snapped opened, realizing his actions, and he pulled away, his cheeks tinted in pink- much like hers.
He wiped at his lips as he stared wide-eyed at Granger. Her expression sat just as wild as his, and, once again, they found themselves in a staring contest. It was all too short when she finally blinked, breaking the spell.
She turned away, clearing her throat, and a trembling finger touched her wet lips. "Well, um..." Granger cast a shy glance over towards Draco, who remained still. "That, that was..." She sighed, quickly gathering up her belongings. "I should really go. You know, I still have so much work to prepare for tomorrow. I'm so behind." Granger stood up as she continued to mumble under her breath about the amount of paperwork she had as she walked towards the front door.
Was she really going to leave? Just like that? Draco sat up straight, opening his mouth to say something, but the door closed too soon, and he fell silent.
Perhaps a cold shower would be best right now. Merlin, it was hot in here.
A/N: Responses!
@Pottheadfolife : Thank you for the review! I CAN ONLY WRITE SO FAST. Q__Q I wish I had all the time in the world to write, but hopefully this chapter will satisfy you for a little bit until the next one comes out! XD
@Bri - I would write a George and Angelina fic if I can get a good story goin'! :D
@Victoria - Thank you so much for your review! Ron really needs to get his shit together. Hermione can only be so patient before she REALLY snaps one day. XD I'm glad you're enjoying it so far, and I hope you'll keep reading as I post more!
@Sherlocked17 - I never cared much for Ron either, but it's fun writing someone who just... blows up at everything. Hahaha.
@Raz394 - More!!
- 7
- 8
- 9
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