"To Have & To Hold" - Part Two - Draco/Hermione
Title: To Have & To Hold
Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Draco/Hermione.
Summary: Draco is getting married. The only problem is, his intended bride is not a virgin and he doesn't love her.
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 13 800
Spoilers: AU.
Author's Note: Thanks to my beta shag_me_draco.
Distribution: Link only please.
Written: August 2011 - For the deflower_draco's Prompt Challenge. Prompt used is at the end.
To Have & To Hold (2/4)
He'd been watching her all night, unable to take his eyes off her. He was playing a dangerous game, but alcohol and despair over his forthcoming nuptials made him foolishly bold. Feeling secure in the knowledge that if nothing came of it, he'd be no worse off than he was already, Draco felt the passing of each day bringing him closer to matrimony spur him on to take the chance.
He cornered her outside of the ladies loo, looking over his shoulder as she stepped out into the hallway and nearly into him.
Hermione gave him a questioning look before she side-stepped him when he failed to answer her unasked question.
"Wait," he said instantly, barely audible over the music from the pub, turning with her so they were once more face to face. He swallowed hard as Hermione waited patiently.
"I've- I've been thinking about it recently," he said finally. "The kiss," he explained before Hermione had a chance to ask him to elaborate. "What could've happened."
Hermione swallowed, not wanting to admit how often she'd thought the same. "What's the point in speculating?" she asked, crossing her arms over her chest in a defensive pose, overdoing it in her fear of him having found her out.
"I-" Draco stopped. "I just thought..." He sighed. "Never mind." He turned to leave.
"What? What did you think?" Hermione asked, stopping him with a hand on his arm.
"I thought that maybe, before either of us entered into a more permanent relationship," ignoring the fact that technically he already had, "it might be good to see- to make sure there really is nothing between us. That it was just the heat of the very intense moment. That way, neither of us will ever wonder about it in the future."
Hermione stared at him. "You want us to kiss?"
Draco nodded.
"To make sure we are not suited for each other.
Draco nodded again.
"All right," Hermione shrugged as if she didn't care either way, all the while her heart pounding fiercely and her mind whirling with the implications. She uncrossed her arms and took a step closer.
Draco's heart jumped and tripled in speed. "Right- Right now?" he stammered, surprised at her easy acceptance. "Here?"
Hermione frowned. "Isn't that why you cornered me here?" she asked.
"Well, I- I didn't mean to corner you as such, I just-"
"Draco," Hermione touched his chest, pressing closer as she felt through his robes how hard his heart beat; nearly rivalling her own, she was sure, "shut up."
With that, she leaned up and pressed her lips to his.
It took but a beat of a moment for Draco to react, before he pressed back; her lips opened under his as he eagerly touched them with his tongue, and her body moulded to his as he held her tightly.
The kiss was all consuming, but with little finesse; their hands careful not to explore too much but their lips and tongues having no such fear as they mated, their lips frantic and their tongues caressing.
Only when Hermione broke away for a moment to breathe did they pause, both gulping in air before diving back at each other near simultaneously, hungry for each other.
Draco backed Hermione into a wall, hoisting her up by her hips for better access as his lips continued to claim hers. They moaned into each other as Draco pressed his hardening length between Hermione's legs, splayed just enough for him to fit his hips into.
He held her up with his hands under her bum, his fingers biting into her flesh through her trousers as they kissed deeply. Her legs wrapped around his for better support, as her arms wrapped around his shoulders to hold him to her.
Hermione grinded her hips into his, feeling empowered when he groaned against her lips, nipping at them in retaliation as he hardened even further against her.
She arched her chest into his mouth as Draco trailed kisses down her exposed skin; moaning in appreciation as Hermione unbuttoned her shirt with one hand to give him more access. She threw her head back as his nose pushed down the cup of her bra, his mouth closing in on a hard nipple for the first time.
The sensation of being in his arms, his lips sucking delicately, almost hesitant and experimentally, on her nipple, tugging at it with his teeth as he held her up, pressed against a hard wall with his hard body and even harder cock pressing against the wetness that grew between her legs, was almost too much for Hermione. It was more than she'd ever fantasised would happen with him, and better than what she had fantasised over the years.
Unbeknownst to her, it was more than Draco had ever fantasised about her too.
She arched and moaned and pressed, urging him on. Draco didn't disappoint, as full of desire for her as she felt for him.
The music that'd been flowing from the speakers all night stopped abruptly and the sudden lack of sound startled Hermione. She opened her eyes to the now bright overhead lights. Blinking a few times, she leaned her head back against the wall and placed a hand in Draco's hair. "Draco," she said.
Draco, unconcerned and unknowing of the change in their surroundings, followed her, his lips claiming hers again.
Hermione let him, getting lost in the moment before she pulled away. "Wait, I think the pub is closing," she said, her voice hoarse and full of desire.
"Oh," Draco replied dazedly. They stared at each other for a moment before Draco slowly and regretfully let her back down on the floor.
"Um," Hermione tried, smoothing back her hair nervously after hurriedly buttoning her shirt back up, hoping she'd discretely been able to put her bra back in place. "I'm not sure what that proved," she attempted, swallowing.
Draco silently disagreed, but made a sound he hoped was enough in agreement, not wanting to give too much away of his feelings.
"I guess we should-" Hermione motioned towards the exit, half wanting to ask him to come with her, but knowing she shouldn't, even if she worked up the courage.
"Right, yes, I'm- Um, good night, Hermione," Draco said hurriedly before he escaped, leaving Hermione to stare after him as he left through the emergency exit in the back.
"Good night, Draco," Hermione said quietly to the empty space, before turning and walking out in the opposite direction.
Outside, in the alley, Draco leaned against the wall; his breath not yet recovered and his cock still painfully hard. He stared unseeing up at the night sky as he tried to calm himself.
He was to see her Sunday for lunch at the Burrow, and he wouldn't be able to interact with her if he thought of their kiss. Their magnificent and mind-blowing kiss.
Draco groaned and Apparated home. Hurrying up the stairs and into his room, he laid down on his bed, unbuttoned his straining trousers and began stroking himself.
He found release embarrassingly quick, but couldn't find it in himself to care.
Instead, he disrobed, cleaned up with a quick spell and crawled into bed.
Alone.
-----
Draco was early. He'd needed to escape the Manor, and his mother's insessive wedding planning - she was now convinced that they shouldn't reveal the engagement until no more than four, preferably three, weeks before the wedding, certain as she was that any plans those they invited might've had for that they, they would cancel them immediately upon receiving their invitation to the wedding - and though he had considered going to Diagon Alley to wile away the time, he'd decided instead to go to the Burrow and visit with Molly, before everyone else arrived; she always smothered him with motherly love and he'd not spoken to her one-on-one for quite some time.
He'd Apparated in, and enjoyed the quick and quiet stroll through the gardens, before he entered the house from the backdoor. The door didn't squeak as it usually did, and he glanced up at it, figuring Arthur had finally gotten around to fixing it as he'd promised his wife for more years than Draco had been a constant and welcomed visitor.
He was just about to call out a greeting when he heard Hermione, and with his heart pounding fiercely, he snuck closer to listen, wondering - hoping - that she was telling Ginny about their kiss the night before; what better indicator of how she felt about him could he get?
Ginny sighed. "As I see it, you have two options; either you find yourself another virgin to do the deed with-"
Hermione scoffed. "And where would I find such a guy, who is not at least five years younger than myself?" she asked sardonically.
Ginny ignored her "- or, you find a man who knows what he's doing and doesn't mind teaching you," she concluded in an impish tone.
Draco gulped and blushed, unable to leave.
"And how would I be able to find such a man, who is also not a total creep?" Hermione asked. "No," she said, decidedly. "I'm just going to wait. I rather be with someone I actually cared for, even if it means I have to wait years, than to just have sex for the sake of it."
Ginny sighed dramatically. "Have it your way, but-" Draco could practically hear the hard stare she gave Hermione, "unless you put yourself out there and actually start going on dates and see if there's someone out there for you, you're not going to find such a person. You can't expect him to come looking for you, Hermione. You know better than that."
There was a pause before Ginny sighed again. "I just worry about you."
"There is nothing to worry about. I just haven't had sex yet - there is nothing wrong with waiting until you are in love."
"Unless you are in love, yet do nothing about it," Ginny said tiredly.
Draco started. Hermione was in love with someone?
"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about," Hermione replied, her voice hard and brooking no argument.
"Hermione-"
Just then, the front door opened and Molly entered, halting the girl's conversation.
Draco backed out, his mind in a turmoil. He sat down on the stoop the moment he reached it.
Hermione was a virgin. She might possibly also be in love with someone, but it was too painful a thought to entertain.
Hermione, like him, wanted her first time to be with someone she loved, and although she might not be in love with him, she did care about him a great deal. He'd be gentle and loving and she would not easily find anyone who loved her as he did.
Draco shook himself out of the ridiculous fantasy before it took too much hold; despite the kiss suggesting she wanted him too, it didn't mean she wanted him that way, or that much.
Draco frowned. Although, maybe...
Ron arrived, halting Draco's scheming. After their customary good natured ribbing of a greeting, Draco followed the redhead inside - his eyes instantly meeting Hermione's. She smiled, Draco's heart skipped a beat and again, and he considered.
-----
The night Harry turned twenty years old, Draco was a nervous wreck. It had been a week since he'd kissed Hermione against the wall of their favourite pub, and although they had seen each other at work since, by wordless agreement they hadn't spoken about it. Draco had been partially glad for Hermione's hesitance to speak of it, because he wasn't sure he was ready for the kind of conversation they should be having; that he wanted her but they couldn't be together - for long - because he would be married to Astoria before the year was out.
The house was crowded, full of old friends and new co-workers. Draco stood in a corner, leaning against the wall as he nursed his beer and watched the door to the kitchen like a stalker, waiting for Hermione to return through it.
It was getting late; but the party was still going strong. Though Draco had seen Hermione many times through-out the night, having followed her around just a bit, he'd not yet spoken to her, and though the party didn't seem to come to an end any time soon, he did not want the night to pass completely with them practically ignoring each other.
The door finally moved and Hermione followed Ginny out of the kitchen; the redhead laughing and Hermione looking somewhat put-out - her eyes met Draco's in the dim light and he was almost certain she was blushing.
Blaise walked past, clapping Draco on his shoulder, completely oblivious to the look shared between his friends, as he continued on his way.
Ginny whispered something to Hermione before she walked off, presumably to find Harry. Hermione hesitated a moment before she moved across the room towards Draco.
He stood straight as she neared, nervously eying her approach. Her eyes were on his, and just as Draco prepared to speak, her eyes cut away and she veered left, going up the stairs instead.
Draco stood in still surprise for a moment before he moved, hurrying after her up the steps. The door to the first floor bathroom had almost closed when Draco put his hand on it, preventing it from shutting.
The door opened; their eyes met.
"You can't just barge in when I'm going to the loo," Hermione said, shifting on her feet.
"Are you really going to the loo or are you hiding?" he asked, knowingly.
"Um," Hermione blushed. "But still, I mean-"
"Hermione," Draco said quietly, meaningfully.
She wetted her lips nervously, but moved back to let him in. Draco stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. The lock slid shut with a click and the sound echoed in the small room.
The mirror above the sinks took up half the wall; Draco cold see all of Hermione as she stood in front of it, her arms crossed, unknowingly pushing up her breasts. Her hip rested against the counter and her long legs stretched down from it, made all the longer by the skirt and heels she wore. Her hair was up; the bright red of the hair tie holding her mass of hair together in a rather messy bun at the back of her neck.
Draco walked the barely half a foot distance up to her, putting his lukewarm drink on the counter beside her before placing his hand on her hip. The fabric of her skirt was clingy and through it Draco could feel the warmth of her skin.
He moved even closer, but when he leaned in to kiss her, Hermione put a hand on his chest to stop him. Draco pulled back, frowning at her.
"You think you can just ignore me for days on end and then kiss me when you've had a drink?" she demanded.
"I wasn't- I thought we both- I just-" Draco tried, uncertain if she was joking or honestly mad at him.
"Yes?" Hermione's arms were crossed, but she'd not pushed him too far away that he could not still keep his hand on her hip. "Because if you think I will stand for that, then you best think again."
"Of course, it won't happen again," Draco agreed quickly, only thinking of how glad he was that she didn't seem too mad, rather than the consequences of not ignoring her in public. "May I kiss you now?"
"You may."
Draco, eager to feel her lips on his once more, wasted no time in claiming them. Their tongues and mouths mated as their hands caressed and explored for what felt like hours as they enjoyed each other uninhibitedly.
Draco pressed her back against the counter and pressed himself into her, his hands sliding down her sides to her hips and then further still, until he reached the edge of her skirt.
His hands slid in under the fabric at her thighs, sliding it up as his hands rose on her smooth legs. Hermione groaned into his mouth, clutching at his shirt to bring him closer to her, her tongue caressing his languidly. Draco's fingers trailed along the crease of her thigh and bum, and Hermione's body hummed in approval.
He pressed his hips into hers, moaning as she pressed herself closer and moved her own hips, almost caressing him through his trousers.
He palmed her bum as Hermione slid her fingers into his hair, their lips still desperately claiming each other and only releasing for brief gasps of air. Groping the soft flesh of her bum, when Draco slid his fingers in under the elastic of her knickers to place the whole palm of his hand on her skin, Hermione arched her chest into his.
She made noises he'd never heard before as he touched her, rising onto her toes so she could get even closer and Draco's head was, though clear of alcohol, cloudy and heavy with desire for the woman in his arms.
Feeling bold and empowered by her encouraging sounds, Draco removed his hand from her bum and instead pressed it against the wet spot that'd formed at the front of her knickers, accidentally pressing the back of his hand against his straining erection as well.
Hermione pulled away from his lips to moan and breathe his name and Draco, unable to keep his lips off her, pressed his against her neck instead.
He was just working up the courage to slide his finger in under her knickers to get closer to the wet heat underneath, when Hermione stopped him.
"We should probably get out of here before this goes any further," she breathed against his cheek.
Draco swallowed. Not trusting his own voice, he simply nodded.
Hermione took his hand as they walked out of the house; no one looking after them twice as they wound their way through the crowd of people and out the door. They didn't speak as they walked down the quiet and dark street on their way to the Apparation point, no sound of the party interrupting the night.
Draco's heart pounded fiercely in his chest as they walked, their steps echoing and their hands still wrapped together.
In no time, they arrived at Hermione's flat and as soon as the door was closed behind them, Draco was on her once more. He pressed her against the hallway wall, his tongue diving into her mouth to battle with hers with renewed vigour as she clutched at him and his jacket. It was left on the welcome mat by their shoes as they moved further into the dark flat.
Draco tripped over a pile of books and only that made him release his hold on Hermione.
"Where is the light?" he asked her, ignoring the slight pain in his chin as she stepped away to flick the switch.
"You've been here enough times that you should know that yourself," she teased as she walked back to him, but Draco wasn't listening.
In the light, he could see all of her; from her delicate and bare feet bringing her closer, the innocently seductive sway of her hips as she moving her closer, the hard nipples straining through the fabric covering her chest to her dark eyes, full of promises and lust, for him.
"There is something I have to tell you, I-" Draco swallowed his words about Astoria, hating the trusting and wanting look in her eyes. He wanted selfishly for her to look at him like that for the rest of their lives. It wasn't fair, that he'd been in love with her for so long and now, now that she seemed to be in favour of being with him too, he had to get married to someone else. "I- I like you," Draco said finally; understatement of the year.
"I like you too," Hermione admitted, "like that."
Draco grinned, his heart squeezing. "I mean like that too," he assured her, as if not probably evident already by the way he'd kissed her.
"And I want you," Hermione said, now close to him again.
"Are you drunk?" he asked, suddenly unsure. She hadn't seemed drunk and he'd not seen her drink a lot at the party.
Hermione laughed. "No. Do I seem drunk?"
"No," he assured her, "it's just that you- you seem kind of bold. I didn't expect-”
She smiled, placing a hand on his chest to still his words. Draco was sure she could feel his rapid heartbeat through the fabric of his shirt.
"I had a talk with Ginny," she revealed.
Draco's eyes widened, but he said nothing.
"Or, it should be more accurate to say that Ginny had a talk with me." Hermione leaned up close and Draco placed his arms around her. "And I think it's time that I... took her advice."
With a smile, Hermione leaned in and pressed her lips against his. After a moment they moved, lips still locked together. They ended up on the floor in front of Hermione's unlit fireplace, where Draco lowered onto the soft rug she had placed there when the floo was off.
There, Draco needed only a little encouragement to caress her clothing away. His cock had been hard since he joined her in the bathroom, and it was now straining painfully as he palmed her full breasts, flicking his tongue over the nipples as he pleased. Hermione moaned and writhed under him as more clothes fell away, now from him as well. She still wore her damp knickers, Draco too nervous to remove them as he'd slid her dress down her legs and off.
He gazed up at her naked chest for a moment, before he moved up and experimentally took a nipple into his mouth, nibbling carefully on the erect bud. She made a sound of surprise mixed with pleasure, and immediately, Draco moved away, looking down at her in worry.
"No wait, that was good," Hermione told him.
Draco smirked and put his mouth on her again, this time bringing his hand up to touch her other breast at the same time. He laid on top of her, his lower stomach pressing against the apex of her thighs and her knees on either side of him. Hermione's hands were in his hair and she tugged on it as she arched into him.
He ran a hand down her side, grabbing at her bum. Hermione giggled as his nose brushed against the sensitive skin of her sternum. His fingers grasped the side of her knickers, about to pull them down as his mouth moved over her navel.
"Wait, I don't think we should- I mean I'm not, I'm not ready," Hermione admitted.
"It's all right," Draco reassured her, immediately making a move to move away and hoping he was able to hide the grimace of pain his physical state put him in. He was not going to push her.
"No, I mean-" Hermione stopped him and brought his form back to hers. "I mean we can still do things, like, um," she blushed, "I mean just not for that. I still want you, I just am not ready."
Draco looked at her for a long moment, caressing the side of her face as she lay underneath him, his near naked body covering hers. "So, er, what would we-?" he asked. "I mean, what would you like to do?" he hurried to cover, hoping she hadn't noticed his hesitance and understood the reason why; that he knew so very little regarding the situation they were now in.
Hermione's blush intensified. "Well, we could-" she slid a hand down his chest, down to the elastic of his pants before sliding her small hand in under it to touch his cock.
Draco closed his eyes and groaned embarrassingly loud as she touched him hesitatingly. She stopped suddenly, looking up at him in worry.
"Is it-?"
"Don't stop," he groaned, leaning himself on one hand as he used the other to pull his pants down, to free his cock from the constraints as well as give her easier access.
Hermione helped him, and as soon as he'd kicked them off and onto the floor, he kissed her as she continued to move her hand over his cock. Her movements were artless in their inexperience, and not as hard or fast as Draco was accustomed to from his own hand, but still he came faster than he ever had before; he'd barely had time to warn her of his impending orgasm before it was upon her, coating her hands and stomach.
Before he'd even had a chance to catch his breath, he apologised.
"It's okay," Hermione assured him, moving underneath him. "Just, um- could you- ?" she pushed at his chest.
"Oh," Draco let out, disappointed. He moved to the side, almost into the hearth, grimacing inwardly as his come cooled uncomfortably on his skin. "I wanted to- I mean, to you."
"Oh," Hermione blushed as he looked at her; the overhead light putting her on full display. She covered her breasts as she sat, facing him. "God this is awkward."
Draco frowned. "Do you want me to-" he motioned to the door.
"No!" Hermione cried, her blush intensifying. "I just," she put a hand over her face as she mumbled, "I have no idea what I'm doing."
Draco smiled. "Me neither," he admitted.
Hermione looked up, doubt colouring her dark eyes.
"Honestly, I - I have no idea either." Draco leaned close, kissing her. "But maybe that's good. We could learn together," he mumbled into her cheek.
"I'd like that," Hermione replied, just as quietly.
"Will you let me touch you, like you did me?" Draco asked.
Hermione blushed brightly, bit her lip and nodded.
That night was the first time Draco Malfoy made a woman come.
-----
They were early by design, Draco having asked Blaise to meet him at the pub an hour earlier than their usual time, needing to talk to someone. Out of all of their friends, though he wasn't in the same position as Draco in his own life, Blaise was the only one who would understand why Draco would allow his parents to arrange his marriage.
"Maybe you'll get lucky," Blaise said out of nowhere.
"About?" Draco asked carefully half convinced Blaise meant more like, maybe you'll get lucky tonight.
"Maybe she hasn't had great sex, I mean, didn't she have a fling with Flint last year?"
Draco nearly choked on his drink. "What?" he hissed. "I can't marry someone who has had sex with Flint!"
Blaise looked properly sympathetic. "And Nott," he said after a moment, nodding as he remembered.
Draco looked aghast.
"So I guess the pressure is on you after all, since from what I've heard, Nott at least knows what he's doing and gets around for a very good reason."
"I refuse to let myself be compared to the likes of Flint and Nott!" Draco said, downing the rest of his drink in one big gulp.
Blaise shrugged. "You probably will be regardless."
Draco groaned. "I knew she wasn't a virgin, her behaviour has made that perfectly clear, but Flint? Nott?"
Blaise placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"You think Astoria is being faithful?" Blaise mused after too long a silence, nursing his third drink.
Draco looked at him. "Why shouldn't she be?"
Blaise shrugged elegantly. "Once you've had great sex it's hard to stop, given a chance for it."
Draco frowned into his empty glass.
"Hey," Blaise suddenly cried, elegance gone as the alcohol clouded his eyes, "you should have sex," he said with conviction.
Draco stared at him.
"Well," Blaise started, frowning slightly, "she's probably having sex, you should get some too!"
"So I should cheat on my, ugh, fiancée on the off chance she's cheating on me?" Draco asked dubiously.
Blaise shrugged again. "I just figured, given her experience and your, er, lack thereof, you might've wanted to practice a bit, so you know what to do on the wedding night and you don't disappoint her in bed."
Draco glared. "I honestly don't care if I disappoint her in bed," he said.
"Suit yourself," Blaise retorted. "Just remember, women talk."
"And what is that supposed to mean?"
Blaise rolled his eyes. "You don't love her, she doesn't love you - I assumed adultery was a natural eventuality."
Draco frowned. "I hadn't thought of that."
"Maybe you should." Blaise allowed him a moment. "I know someone who would be able to help you. She's a gem, Draco; I still can't get her out of my head. She did this-"
"Stop," Draco held up a hand, "Please. I just have to put it behind me."
"All right," Blaise nodded. "I need more booze. You want something?"
Draco shook his head before Blaise walked off to the bar to replenish his drink, leaving Draco alone to think.
"Look who I found," Blaise said cheerfully as he came back to the table, drinks in hand and Hermione in tow.
"Maybe she'll be able to cheer you up, talk some sense into you."
Draco blushed as his eyes met Hermione's, glaring briefly at Blaise when Hermione turned to their friend, a small frown puckering between her eyebrows.
"Talk some sense about what?" she asked.
"Nothing," Draco quickly interrupted whatever Blaise had opened his mouth to say. They shared a look and Blaise nodded in understanding, keeping the secret.
"You know Malfoy, Hermione," he said, wrapping a friendly arm around her shoulder. "What doesn't he need sense talking into him about?"
Hermione smiled as expected, extracting herself from under Blaise's heavy arm as she threw a look at Draco.
"Sit down?" Draco asked her, motioning to Blaise's chair.
Hermione did, sitting down her sensible and non-alcoholic drink on the table as she automatically turned her body towards Draco's. She gave him a small smile as his turned to hers; after a curiously quick glance to see that Blaise had turned to wave some other friends down, Draco smiled back and placed a hand on her thigh, squeezing it quickly.
He let go just before their table was overrun with drinks and hellos, as everyone gathered around to start the evening.
The dark hid Hermione's flush, but the message, as far as she was concerned, had been clear; I want you, but let's not tell anyone.
Hermione smiled and laughed and danced with her friends, unaware that as she did so, Draco warred within himself about his want for her.
He wanted to be strong enough to stay away; to go back to being friends, so that he could keep her in his life - so he could still be a part of her life. But he was selfish and he had wanted her for years and the kisses they had shared already had not been enough to satiate his desire, nor his fantasies for the many years that would come when he would not be able to have her.
Because Hermione would never be the type of woman to have an affair with a married man, that much he knew. Not even if she loved him. In fact, Draco frowned; if she loved him, she would hate him all the more for the hope he would've given her now.
Draco downed his seventh drink, relishing the burn.
He had to stop, he had to stay away - tell her the truth, deal with her anger and salvage what he would of their friendship.
He loved her and he had stop being selfish. Hermione's needs had to come first.
Draco looked at her, dancing with not a care in the world. He stared as if it was the last time he would see her.
Her needs had to come first.
Maybe it was the alcohol or maybe he really was just a selfish and needy git, but by the time Hermione approached him where he stood by the bar, watching her, he'd justified his actions to the point where he felt no guilt in drawing her away from the crowd to kiss her deeply.
As she returned the kiss, allowing him to pull her tightly against him as their tongues met, nothing else mattered.
He returned home an hour later, buoyant and in love, touching his red and swollen lips, hard and smiling.
The smile fell as his father announced over a nightcap, that a date had been agreed upon for the wedding; it was to be a mere five weeks away.
-----
Part Three
Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Draco/Hermione.
Summary: Draco is getting married. The only problem is, his intended bride is not a virgin and he doesn't love her.
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 13 800
Spoilers: AU.
Author's Note: Thanks to my beta shag_me_draco.
Distribution: Link only please.
Written: August 2011 - For the deflower_draco's Prompt Challenge. Prompt used is at the end.
To Have & To Hold (2/4)
He'd been watching her all night, unable to take his eyes off her. He was playing a dangerous game, but alcohol and despair over his forthcoming nuptials made him foolishly bold. Feeling secure in the knowledge that if nothing came of it, he'd be no worse off than he was already, Draco felt the passing of each day bringing him closer to matrimony spur him on to take the chance.
He cornered her outside of the ladies loo, looking over his shoulder as she stepped out into the hallway and nearly into him.
Hermione gave him a questioning look before she side-stepped him when he failed to answer her unasked question.
"Wait," he said instantly, barely audible over the music from the pub, turning with her so they were once more face to face. He swallowed hard as Hermione waited patiently.
"I've- I've been thinking about it recently," he said finally. "The kiss," he explained before Hermione had a chance to ask him to elaborate. "What could've happened."
Hermione swallowed, not wanting to admit how often she'd thought the same. "What's the point in speculating?" she asked, crossing her arms over her chest in a defensive pose, overdoing it in her fear of him having found her out.
"I-" Draco stopped. "I just thought..." He sighed. "Never mind." He turned to leave.
"What? What did you think?" Hermione asked, stopping him with a hand on his arm.
"I thought that maybe, before either of us entered into a more permanent relationship," ignoring the fact that technically he already had, "it might be good to see- to make sure there really is nothing between us. That it was just the heat of the very intense moment. That way, neither of us will ever wonder about it in the future."
Hermione stared at him. "You want us to kiss?"
Draco nodded.
"To make sure we are not suited for each other.
Draco nodded again.
"All right," Hermione shrugged as if she didn't care either way, all the while her heart pounding fiercely and her mind whirling with the implications. She uncrossed her arms and took a step closer.
Draco's heart jumped and tripled in speed. "Right- Right now?" he stammered, surprised at her easy acceptance. "Here?"
Hermione frowned. "Isn't that why you cornered me here?" she asked.
"Well, I- I didn't mean to corner you as such, I just-"
"Draco," Hermione touched his chest, pressing closer as she felt through his robes how hard his heart beat; nearly rivalling her own, she was sure, "shut up."
With that, she leaned up and pressed her lips to his.
It took but a beat of a moment for Draco to react, before he pressed back; her lips opened under his as he eagerly touched them with his tongue, and her body moulded to his as he held her tightly.
The kiss was all consuming, but with little finesse; their hands careful not to explore too much but their lips and tongues having no such fear as they mated, their lips frantic and their tongues caressing.
Only when Hermione broke away for a moment to breathe did they pause, both gulping in air before diving back at each other near simultaneously, hungry for each other.
Draco backed Hermione into a wall, hoisting her up by her hips for better access as his lips continued to claim hers. They moaned into each other as Draco pressed his hardening length between Hermione's legs, splayed just enough for him to fit his hips into.
He held her up with his hands under her bum, his fingers biting into her flesh through her trousers as they kissed deeply. Her legs wrapped around his for better support, as her arms wrapped around his shoulders to hold him to her.
Hermione grinded her hips into his, feeling empowered when he groaned against her lips, nipping at them in retaliation as he hardened even further against her.
She arched her chest into his mouth as Draco trailed kisses down her exposed skin; moaning in appreciation as Hermione unbuttoned her shirt with one hand to give him more access. She threw her head back as his nose pushed down the cup of her bra, his mouth closing in on a hard nipple for the first time.
The sensation of being in his arms, his lips sucking delicately, almost hesitant and experimentally, on her nipple, tugging at it with his teeth as he held her up, pressed against a hard wall with his hard body and even harder cock pressing against the wetness that grew between her legs, was almost too much for Hermione. It was more than she'd ever fantasised would happen with him, and better than what she had fantasised over the years.
Unbeknownst to her, it was more than Draco had ever fantasised about her too.
She arched and moaned and pressed, urging him on. Draco didn't disappoint, as full of desire for her as she felt for him.
The music that'd been flowing from the speakers all night stopped abruptly and the sudden lack of sound startled Hermione. She opened her eyes to the now bright overhead lights. Blinking a few times, she leaned her head back against the wall and placed a hand in Draco's hair. "Draco," she said.
Draco, unconcerned and unknowing of the change in their surroundings, followed her, his lips claiming hers again.
Hermione let him, getting lost in the moment before she pulled away. "Wait, I think the pub is closing," she said, her voice hoarse and full of desire.
"Oh," Draco replied dazedly. They stared at each other for a moment before Draco slowly and regretfully let her back down on the floor.
"Um," Hermione tried, smoothing back her hair nervously after hurriedly buttoning her shirt back up, hoping she'd discretely been able to put her bra back in place. "I'm not sure what that proved," she attempted, swallowing.
Draco silently disagreed, but made a sound he hoped was enough in agreement, not wanting to give too much away of his feelings.
"I guess we should-" Hermione motioned towards the exit, half wanting to ask him to come with her, but knowing she shouldn't, even if she worked up the courage.
"Right, yes, I'm- Um, good night, Hermione," Draco said hurriedly before he escaped, leaving Hermione to stare after him as he left through the emergency exit in the back.
"Good night, Draco," Hermione said quietly to the empty space, before turning and walking out in the opposite direction.
Outside, in the alley, Draco leaned against the wall; his breath not yet recovered and his cock still painfully hard. He stared unseeing up at the night sky as he tried to calm himself.
He was to see her Sunday for lunch at the Burrow, and he wouldn't be able to interact with her if he thought of their kiss. Their magnificent and mind-blowing kiss.
Draco groaned and Apparated home. Hurrying up the stairs and into his room, he laid down on his bed, unbuttoned his straining trousers and began stroking himself.
He found release embarrassingly quick, but couldn't find it in himself to care.
Instead, he disrobed, cleaned up with a quick spell and crawled into bed.
Alone.
-----
Draco was early. He'd needed to escape the Manor, and his mother's insessive wedding planning - she was now convinced that they shouldn't reveal the engagement until no more than four, preferably three, weeks before the wedding, certain as she was that any plans those they invited might've had for that they, they would cancel them immediately upon receiving their invitation to the wedding - and though he had considered going to Diagon Alley to wile away the time, he'd decided instead to go to the Burrow and visit with Molly, before everyone else arrived; she always smothered him with motherly love and he'd not spoken to her one-on-one for quite some time.
He'd Apparated in, and enjoyed the quick and quiet stroll through the gardens, before he entered the house from the backdoor. The door didn't squeak as it usually did, and he glanced up at it, figuring Arthur had finally gotten around to fixing it as he'd promised his wife for more years than Draco had been a constant and welcomed visitor.
He was just about to call out a greeting when he heard Hermione, and with his heart pounding fiercely, he snuck closer to listen, wondering - hoping - that she was telling Ginny about their kiss the night before; what better indicator of how she felt about him could he get?
Ginny sighed. "As I see it, you have two options; either you find yourself another virgin to do the deed with-"
Hermione scoffed. "And where would I find such a guy, who is not at least five years younger than myself?" she asked sardonically.
Ginny ignored her "- or, you find a man who knows what he's doing and doesn't mind teaching you," she concluded in an impish tone.
Draco gulped and blushed, unable to leave.
"And how would I be able to find such a man, who is also not a total creep?" Hermione asked. "No," she said, decidedly. "I'm just going to wait. I rather be with someone I actually cared for, even if it means I have to wait years, than to just have sex for the sake of it."
Ginny sighed dramatically. "Have it your way, but-" Draco could practically hear the hard stare she gave Hermione, "unless you put yourself out there and actually start going on dates and see if there's someone out there for you, you're not going to find such a person. You can't expect him to come looking for you, Hermione. You know better than that."
There was a pause before Ginny sighed again. "I just worry about you."
"There is nothing to worry about. I just haven't had sex yet - there is nothing wrong with waiting until you are in love."
"Unless you are in love, yet do nothing about it," Ginny said tiredly.
Draco started. Hermione was in love with someone?
"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about," Hermione replied, her voice hard and brooking no argument.
"Hermione-"
Just then, the front door opened and Molly entered, halting the girl's conversation.
Draco backed out, his mind in a turmoil. He sat down on the stoop the moment he reached it.
Hermione was a virgin. She might possibly also be in love with someone, but it was too painful a thought to entertain.
Hermione, like him, wanted her first time to be with someone she loved, and although she might not be in love with him, she did care about him a great deal. He'd be gentle and loving and she would not easily find anyone who loved her as he did.
Draco shook himself out of the ridiculous fantasy before it took too much hold; despite the kiss suggesting she wanted him too, it didn't mean she wanted him that way, or that much.
Draco frowned. Although, maybe...
Ron arrived, halting Draco's scheming. After their customary good natured ribbing of a greeting, Draco followed the redhead inside - his eyes instantly meeting Hermione's. She smiled, Draco's heart skipped a beat and again, and he considered.
-----
The night Harry turned twenty years old, Draco was a nervous wreck. It had been a week since he'd kissed Hermione against the wall of their favourite pub, and although they had seen each other at work since, by wordless agreement they hadn't spoken about it. Draco had been partially glad for Hermione's hesitance to speak of it, because he wasn't sure he was ready for the kind of conversation they should be having; that he wanted her but they couldn't be together - for long - because he would be married to Astoria before the year was out.
The house was crowded, full of old friends and new co-workers. Draco stood in a corner, leaning against the wall as he nursed his beer and watched the door to the kitchen like a stalker, waiting for Hermione to return through it.
It was getting late; but the party was still going strong. Though Draco had seen Hermione many times through-out the night, having followed her around just a bit, he'd not yet spoken to her, and though the party didn't seem to come to an end any time soon, he did not want the night to pass completely with them practically ignoring each other.
The door finally moved and Hermione followed Ginny out of the kitchen; the redhead laughing and Hermione looking somewhat put-out - her eyes met Draco's in the dim light and he was almost certain she was blushing.
Blaise walked past, clapping Draco on his shoulder, completely oblivious to the look shared between his friends, as he continued on his way.
Ginny whispered something to Hermione before she walked off, presumably to find Harry. Hermione hesitated a moment before she moved across the room towards Draco.
He stood straight as she neared, nervously eying her approach. Her eyes were on his, and just as Draco prepared to speak, her eyes cut away and she veered left, going up the stairs instead.
Draco stood in still surprise for a moment before he moved, hurrying after her up the steps. The door to the first floor bathroom had almost closed when Draco put his hand on it, preventing it from shutting.
The door opened; their eyes met.
"You can't just barge in when I'm going to the loo," Hermione said, shifting on her feet.
"Are you really going to the loo or are you hiding?" he asked, knowingly.
"Um," Hermione blushed. "But still, I mean-"
"Hermione," Draco said quietly, meaningfully.
She wetted her lips nervously, but moved back to let him in. Draco stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. The lock slid shut with a click and the sound echoed in the small room.
The mirror above the sinks took up half the wall; Draco cold see all of Hermione as she stood in front of it, her arms crossed, unknowingly pushing up her breasts. Her hip rested against the counter and her long legs stretched down from it, made all the longer by the skirt and heels she wore. Her hair was up; the bright red of the hair tie holding her mass of hair together in a rather messy bun at the back of her neck.
Draco walked the barely half a foot distance up to her, putting his lukewarm drink on the counter beside her before placing his hand on her hip. The fabric of her skirt was clingy and through it Draco could feel the warmth of her skin.
He moved even closer, but when he leaned in to kiss her, Hermione put a hand on his chest to stop him. Draco pulled back, frowning at her.
"You think you can just ignore me for days on end and then kiss me when you've had a drink?" she demanded.
"I wasn't- I thought we both- I just-" Draco tried, uncertain if she was joking or honestly mad at him.
"Yes?" Hermione's arms were crossed, but she'd not pushed him too far away that he could not still keep his hand on her hip. "Because if you think I will stand for that, then you best think again."
"Of course, it won't happen again," Draco agreed quickly, only thinking of how glad he was that she didn't seem too mad, rather than the consequences of not ignoring her in public. "May I kiss you now?"
"You may."
Draco, eager to feel her lips on his once more, wasted no time in claiming them. Their tongues and mouths mated as their hands caressed and explored for what felt like hours as they enjoyed each other uninhibitedly.
Draco pressed her back against the counter and pressed himself into her, his hands sliding down her sides to her hips and then further still, until he reached the edge of her skirt.
His hands slid in under the fabric at her thighs, sliding it up as his hands rose on her smooth legs. Hermione groaned into his mouth, clutching at his shirt to bring him closer to her, her tongue caressing his languidly. Draco's fingers trailed along the crease of her thigh and bum, and Hermione's body hummed in approval.
He pressed his hips into hers, moaning as she pressed herself closer and moved her own hips, almost caressing him through his trousers.
He palmed her bum as Hermione slid her fingers into his hair, their lips still desperately claiming each other and only releasing for brief gasps of air. Groping the soft flesh of her bum, when Draco slid his fingers in under the elastic of her knickers to place the whole palm of his hand on her skin, Hermione arched her chest into his.
She made noises he'd never heard before as he touched her, rising onto her toes so she could get even closer and Draco's head was, though clear of alcohol, cloudy and heavy with desire for the woman in his arms.
Feeling bold and empowered by her encouraging sounds, Draco removed his hand from her bum and instead pressed it against the wet spot that'd formed at the front of her knickers, accidentally pressing the back of his hand against his straining erection as well.
Hermione pulled away from his lips to moan and breathe his name and Draco, unable to keep his lips off her, pressed his against her neck instead.
He was just working up the courage to slide his finger in under her knickers to get closer to the wet heat underneath, when Hermione stopped him.
"We should probably get out of here before this goes any further," she breathed against his cheek.
Draco swallowed. Not trusting his own voice, he simply nodded.
Hermione took his hand as they walked out of the house; no one looking after them twice as they wound their way through the crowd of people and out the door. They didn't speak as they walked down the quiet and dark street on their way to the Apparation point, no sound of the party interrupting the night.
Draco's heart pounded fiercely in his chest as they walked, their steps echoing and their hands still wrapped together.
In no time, they arrived at Hermione's flat and as soon as the door was closed behind them, Draco was on her once more. He pressed her against the hallway wall, his tongue diving into her mouth to battle with hers with renewed vigour as she clutched at him and his jacket. It was left on the welcome mat by their shoes as they moved further into the dark flat.
Draco tripped over a pile of books and only that made him release his hold on Hermione.
"Where is the light?" he asked her, ignoring the slight pain in his chin as she stepped away to flick the switch.
"You've been here enough times that you should know that yourself," she teased as she walked back to him, but Draco wasn't listening.
In the light, he could see all of her; from her delicate and bare feet bringing her closer, the innocently seductive sway of her hips as she moving her closer, the hard nipples straining through the fabric covering her chest to her dark eyes, full of promises and lust, for him.
"There is something I have to tell you, I-" Draco swallowed his words about Astoria, hating the trusting and wanting look in her eyes. He wanted selfishly for her to look at him like that for the rest of their lives. It wasn't fair, that he'd been in love with her for so long and now, now that she seemed to be in favour of being with him too, he had to get married to someone else. "I- I like you," Draco said finally; understatement of the year.
"I like you too," Hermione admitted, "like that."
Draco grinned, his heart squeezing. "I mean like that too," he assured her, as if not probably evident already by the way he'd kissed her.
"And I want you," Hermione said, now close to him again.
"Are you drunk?" he asked, suddenly unsure. She hadn't seemed drunk and he'd not seen her drink a lot at the party.
Hermione laughed. "No. Do I seem drunk?"
"No," he assured her, "it's just that you- you seem kind of bold. I didn't expect-”
She smiled, placing a hand on his chest to still his words. Draco was sure she could feel his rapid heartbeat through the fabric of his shirt.
"I had a talk with Ginny," she revealed.
Draco's eyes widened, but he said nothing.
"Or, it should be more accurate to say that Ginny had a talk with me." Hermione leaned up close and Draco placed his arms around her. "And I think it's time that I... took her advice."
With a smile, Hermione leaned in and pressed her lips against his. After a moment they moved, lips still locked together. They ended up on the floor in front of Hermione's unlit fireplace, where Draco lowered onto the soft rug she had placed there when the floo was off.
There, Draco needed only a little encouragement to caress her clothing away. His cock had been hard since he joined her in the bathroom, and it was now straining painfully as he palmed her full breasts, flicking his tongue over the nipples as he pleased. Hermione moaned and writhed under him as more clothes fell away, now from him as well. She still wore her damp knickers, Draco too nervous to remove them as he'd slid her dress down her legs and off.
He gazed up at her naked chest for a moment, before he moved up and experimentally took a nipple into his mouth, nibbling carefully on the erect bud. She made a sound of surprise mixed with pleasure, and immediately, Draco moved away, looking down at her in worry.
"No wait, that was good," Hermione told him.
Draco smirked and put his mouth on her again, this time bringing his hand up to touch her other breast at the same time. He laid on top of her, his lower stomach pressing against the apex of her thighs and her knees on either side of him. Hermione's hands were in his hair and she tugged on it as she arched into him.
He ran a hand down her side, grabbing at her bum. Hermione giggled as his nose brushed against the sensitive skin of her sternum. His fingers grasped the side of her knickers, about to pull them down as his mouth moved over her navel.
"Wait, I don't think we should- I mean I'm not, I'm not ready," Hermione admitted.
"It's all right," Draco reassured her, immediately making a move to move away and hoping he was able to hide the grimace of pain his physical state put him in. He was not going to push her.
"No, I mean-" Hermione stopped him and brought his form back to hers. "I mean we can still do things, like, um," she blushed, "I mean just not for that. I still want you, I just am not ready."
Draco looked at her for a long moment, caressing the side of her face as she lay underneath him, his near naked body covering hers. "So, er, what would we-?" he asked. "I mean, what would you like to do?" he hurried to cover, hoping she hadn't noticed his hesitance and understood the reason why; that he knew so very little regarding the situation they were now in.
Hermione's blush intensified. "Well, we could-" she slid a hand down his chest, down to the elastic of his pants before sliding her small hand in under it to touch his cock.
Draco closed his eyes and groaned embarrassingly loud as she touched him hesitatingly. She stopped suddenly, looking up at him in worry.
"Is it-?"
"Don't stop," he groaned, leaning himself on one hand as he used the other to pull his pants down, to free his cock from the constraints as well as give her easier access.
Hermione helped him, and as soon as he'd kicked them off and onto the floor, he kissed her as she continued to move her hand over his cock. Her movements were artless in their inexperience, and not as hard or fast as Draco was accustomed to from his own hand, but still he came faster than he ever had before; he'd barely had time to warn her of his impending orgasm before it was upon her, coating her hands and stomach.
Before he'd even had a chance to catch his breath, he apologised.
"It's okay," Hermione assured him, moving underneath him. "Just, um- could you- ?" she pushed at his chest.
"Oh," Draco let out, disappointed. He moved to the side, almost into the hearth, grimacing inwardly as his come cooled uncomfortably on his skin. "I wanted to- I mean, to you."
"Oh," Hermione blushed as he looked at her; the overhead light putting her on full display. She covered her breasts as she sat, facing him. "God this is awkward."
Draco frowned. "Do you want me to-" he motioned to the door.
"No!" Hermione cried, her blush intensifying. "I just," she put a hand over her face as she mumbled, "I have no idea what I'm doing."
Draco smiled. "Me neither," he admitted.
Hermione looked up, doubt colouring her dark eyes.
"Honestly, I - I have no idea either." Draco leaned close, kissing her. "But maybe that's good. We could learn together," he mumbled into her cheek.
"I'd like that," Hermione replied, just as quietly.
"Will you let me touch you, like you did me?" Draco asked.
Hermione blushed brightly, bit her lip and nodded.
That night was the first time Draco Malfoy made a woman come.
-----
They were early by design, Draco having asked Blaise to meet him at the pub an hour earlier than their usual time, needing to talk to someone. Out of all of their friends, though he wasn't in the same position as Draco in his own life, Blaise was the only one who would understand why Draco would allow his parents to arrange his marriage.
"Maybe you'll get lucky," Blaise said out of nowhere.
"About?" Draco asked carefully half convinced Blaise meant more like, maybe you'll get lucky tonight.
"Maybe she hasn't had great sex, I mean, didn't she have a fling with Flint last year?"
Draco nearly choked on his drink. "What?" he hissed. "I can't marry someone who has had sex with Flint!"
Blaise looked properly sympathetic. "And Nott," he said after a moment, nodding as he remembered.
Draco looked aghast.
"So I guess the pressure is on you after all, since from what I've heard, Nott at least knows what he's doing and gets around for a very good reason."
"I refuse to let myself be compared to the likes of Flint and Nott!" Draco said, downing the rest of his drink in one big gulp.
Blaise shrugged. "You probably will be regardless."
Draco groaned. "I knew she wasn't a virgin, her behaviour has made that perfectly clear, but Flint? Nott?"
Blaise placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"You think Astoria is being faithful?" Blaise mused after too long a silence, nursing his third drink.
Draco looked at him. "Why shouldn't she be?"
Blaise shrugged elegantly. "Once you've had great sex it's hard to stop, given a chance for it."
Draco frowned into his empty glass.
"Hey," Blaise suddenly cried, elegance gone as the alcohol clouded his eyes, "you should have sex," he said with conviction.
Draco stared at him.
"Well," Blaise started, frowning slightly, "she's probably having sex, you should get some too!"
"So I should cheat on my, ugh, fiancée on the off chance she's cheating on me?" Draco asked dubiously.
Blaise shrugged again. "I just figured, given her experience and your, er, lack thereof, you might've wanted to practice a bit, so you know what to do on the wedding night and you don't disappoint her in bed."
Draco glared. "I honestly don't care if I disappoint her in bed," he said.
"Suit yourself," Blaise retorted. "Just remember, women talk."
"And what is that supposed to mean?"
Blaise rolled his eyes. "You don't love her, she doesn't love you - I assumed adultery was a natural eventuality."
Draco frowned. "I hadn't thought of that."
"Maybe you should." Blaise allowed him a moment. "I know someone who would be able to help you. She's a gem, Draco; I still can't get her out of my head. She did this-"
"Stop," Draco held up a hand, "Please. I just have to put it behind me."
"All right," Blaise nodded. "I need more booze. You want something?"
Draco shook his head before Blaise walked off to the bar to replenish his drink, leaving Draco alone to think.
"Look who I found," Blaise said cheerfully as he came back to the table, drinks in hand and Hermione in tow.
"Maybe she'll be able to cheer you up, talk some sense into you."
Draco blushed as his eyes met Hermione's, glaring briefly at Blaise when Hermione turned to their friend, a small frown puckering between her eyebrows.
"Talk some sense about what?" she asked.
"Nothing," Draco quickly interrupted whatever Blaise had opened his mouth to say. They shared a look and Blaise nodded in understanding, keeping the secret.
"You know Malfoy, Hermione," he said, wrapping a friendly arm around her shoulder. "What doesn't he need sense talking into him about?"
Hermione smiled as expected, extracting herself from under Blaise's heavy arm as she threw a look at Draco.
"Sit down?" Draco asked her, motioning to Blaise's chair.
Hermione did, sitting down her sensible and non-alcoholic drink on the table as she automatically turned her body towards Draco's. She gave him a small smile as his turned to hers; after a curiously quick glance to see that Blaise had turned to wave some other friends down, Draco smiled back and placed a hand on her thigh, squeezing it quickly.
He let go just before their table was overrun with drinks and hellos, as everyone gathered around to start the evening.
The dark hid Hermione's flush, but the message, as far as she was concerned, had been clear; I want you, but let's not tell anyone.
Hermione smiled and laughed and danced with her friends, unaware that as she did so, Draco warred within himself about his want for her.
He wanted to be strong enough to stay away; to go back to being friends, so that he could keep her in his life - so he could still be a part of her life. But he was selfish and he had wanted her for years and the kisses they had shared already had not been enough to satiate his desire, nor his fantasies for the many years that would come when he would not be able to have her.
Because Hermione would never be the type of woman to have an affair with a married man, that much he knew. Not even if she loved him. In fact, Draco frowned; if she loved him, she would hate him all the more for the hope he would've given her now.
Draco downed his seventh drink, relishing the burn.
He had to stop, he had to stay away - tell her the truth, deal with her anger and salvage what he would of their friendship.
He loved her and he had stop being selfish. Hermione's needs had to come first.
Draco looked at her, dancing with not a care in the world. He stared as if it was the last time he would see her.
Her needs had to come first.
Maybe it was the alcohol or maybe he really was just a selfish and needy git, but by the time Hermione approached him where he stood by the bar, watching her, he'd justified his actions to the point where he felt no guilt in drawing her away from the crowd to kiss her deeply.
As she returned the kiss, allowing him to pull her tightly against him as their tongues met, nothing else mattered.
He returned home an hour later, buoyant and in love, touching his red and swollen lips, hard and smiling.
The smile fell as his father announced over a nightcap, that a date had been agreed upon for the wedding; it was to be a mere five weeks away.
-----
Part Three