Chapter 9

Thank you so much for everyone who posted a review and for everyone following! It means so much! :)

Please read and review. I love reading reviews because it helps motivate my writing while other reviews help me become a better writer.

The story is expanding and this chapter is the first step towards that!

Please follow and continue reading the story when updated, it's pretty cool! :)

Enjoy Chapter Nine!

Let me know your thoughts so far! Trust me, it helps loads! :) Stay safe beautiful people!

HAPPY READING! :)

**************************

DAY 3 – HIDING OUT AT DRACO'S FLAT.

True to his word, Draco never left her side.

Despite the unfortunate, yet fateful circumstance that led Hermione to Draco's flat and arms, she found herself happy and having fun with the one man who could match her intellectually.

It had been a long time since she felt this kind of bliss.

The sanctuary that he provided was rapidly coming to an end and she dreaded having to go back to an empty bloody flat and bed.

They spent most of their time talking, reading, watching movies while cuddled up on his couch, cooking where he proved himself to be quite the adequate chef but mostly, they spent time in bed.

Hermione lost count of the times they had fucked and made love.

Draco was an unbelievable lover; he had always been good but somehow, he was even better now.

When he touched her, everything else melted away, Draco treated her body like a temple.

They were making up for the years apart but her need for him wasn't sated, she doubted it ever would be.

She loved his hands on her body and how he knew exactly what to do and what she liked best; he could bring her to orgasm faster than anyone else.

Her body felt deliciously spent.

The only thing that worried Hermione, was the nightmare Draco had on their second night together.

She kept the book aside and closed her eyes in deep thought.

The night before...

Sleepily, she moved away from him and turned to her side snuggling into a pillow, when she had heard him whimper in his sleep, "Please stop, please don't hurt her, take me instead."

Hermione quickly moved to his side and touched his face in concern, "Draco, please wake up," she whispered, brushing his hair back lovingly.

He sat up in alarm, breathing hard and looked around him wildly like a caged animal trying to escape.

She gently reached out and touched his face to make her presence known, he had pulled her to him and held her in a bone-crushing hug.

"You're safe, you're safe," he repeated into her hair, as she stroked his back soothingly.

It was the one time Hermione had seen real fear in Draco's eyes, and unfortunately, it wouldn't be the last.

Once he pulled away, he had taken in her surprised and concerned face, "I...Err...have this reoccurring nightmare from the war," he explained hesitantly.

Draco never told anyone about his nightmares.

"Who were you dreaming about?" Hermione asked, knowing the answer before he replied.

He hung his head, "It's mostly you, when Bellatrix tortured you at the Manor but sometimes, I dream of others who died."

Hermione grabbed her arm unconsciously, the words that were carved into her flesh were barely visible, much like Draco's Dark Mark.

With time the hideousness that they were branded with was fading away.

The Mudblood and Death Eater, what an unlikely pair they made.

Draco took her hand gently in his and looked at her scar, the word Mudblood stared him in the face.

He brought it to his lips and kissed it tenderly.

Hermione looked at him through the tears in her eyes, "Draco, it wasn't your fault, let it go!"

He gathered her in his arms and kissed her tear-stained face. "I'm sorry, Hermione, I'm so sorry."

She cradled him in her arms until he had fallen asleep.

Hermione didn't dare move away from him.

She opened her eyes and took in the present warm surroundings.

They avoided talking about the events of the previous night, what was done was done.

She had no desire to cause him pain by bringing up the moment he had been most vulnerable.

Bernard came over for lunch.

Hermione loved the old man and being around him reminded her of her father, minus the magic and tailored suits.

He had an archive of the most amusing stories of Draco as a child and teenager.

It was refreshing to learn that the ice blonde had another side apart from the snarky, stuck up, snobby git that she knew him to be at Hogwarts.

The three of them spent the afternoon laughing hard, Hermione clutched her sides in pain.

Bernard told her a wild story about a Veela, who had been convinced Draco was her mate and another about how he broke his father's broom while attempting to whiz around the Manor.

It was plain to see, the old wizard loved Draco as if he was his own son, and Hermione felt tears sting her eyes at the reverent way Bernard spoke of Draco's Quidditch achievements.

He hadn't missed a single match of Draco's.

Hermione stared in awe, as he described a few of Draco's attempts to catch the snitch animatedly with actions.

The old man's quick movements and flexibility surprised her, but Draco leaned in and explained how Bernard had been a Chaser for Slytherin back in his Hogwarts days.

Draco leaned against the counter, listening to the two of them.

He watched the fiery witch amused, her infectious laugh filled his flat and she reached over to touch his hand intimately.

She fell off the chair laughing at the Veela story.

Draco knew he was in big trouble.

He wanted her as if his life depended on it!

She hugged Bernard before Draco and he retired to the study.

They needed to discuss plans for the next day since Hermione had decided to resurface.

Blaise was right, she couldn't hide out in the warmth of his flat and arms forever.

They had responsibilities and she missed her job and friends.

Draco sat back in the large, leather chair in his office and Bernard's departing words echoed through his mind.

"Are you going to tell Miss Granger how you feel?" Bernard had asked him suddenly.

The question took Draco by surprise. "What do you mean?" he asked feebly.

Bernard frowned, shook his head and left, muttering under his breath about how much of an idiot Draco was.

He was left to ponder what the old man meant.

Of course, Granger knew how he felt about her!

What the fuck was Bernard on about?

Draco grabbed the transparent dress bag that Bernard brought and carefully laid it down on the couch.

Unceremoniously, he barged into Hermione's room; he had seen it all; he didn't bother knocking.

Her eyes shot up and he thrust the bag into her hands.

She lifted one brow quizzically.

"Get dressed, we are going out for dinner," Draco instructed firmly.

Hermione took out the beautiful cocktail dress and questioned curiously, "In public?"

She swung the dress around and marvelled at his good taste, the dress was perfect.

Draco rolled his eyes, "No Granger, I'm going to use my hidden network of secret tunnels."

He took her hands in his and kissed the fingertips, she had painted them in red. It suited her.

He locked eyes with her and encouraged, "You've moped around for long enough! It's time for you to get out and show everyone who you are."

Draco paused for effect and smirked devilishly, "And what better way to do that than to have dinner with the most eligible bachelor of the Wizarding World."

He kissed her lightly on the lips and Hermione snorted.

He pointed at the dress impatiently, "Now get dressed."

Hermione thanked Merlin that she had taken her high heels when they had visited her flat.

Smoothing down the material, she had to admit the dress was gorgeous, it hugged her figure with small straps to hold it up.

Rummaging in her makeup bag and taking out her favourite red lip gloss, she applied it carefully and pouted her lips.

Hermione did a small twirl in front of the mirror, she felt great!

She walked into the living room fastening on an earring.

It was a pear-shaped diamond drop, set in white gold that Draco had given her for Christmas in their seventh year.

Hermione loved the earrings! It was so her.

Draco adjusted his sleeves when the echo of high heels against the tiles made him look up.

She looked stunning, her face was scrunched up in concentration trying to fasten an earring and he was ogling her.

He didn't give a fuck.

The dress fell off her like a second skin.

Draco closed the distance between them and stared deep into her eyes, his clouding over with lust.

"You look beautiful, I might want to skip dinner," he whispered huskily, his breath hot ghosted over her skin and he tucked a strand of wild hair behind her ear.

"You still wear these?" He asked in surprise, cradling a diamond earring.

Hermione shuddered, but composed herself enough to confess, "I love these earrings, actually I wear them all the time."

Draco was a good-looking man but tonight he outdid himself.

He wore a tailored black suit and black shirt to match, his hair fell wildly about his forehead adding to his sex appeal.

Hermione wanted to lean into him and forget about everything.

Putting caution to the wind and mentally making a note to fix her lip gloss later, she threw her arms around him and kissed him, he responded enthusiastically cupping her face gently.

Dinner...

The restaurant was nothing short of classy and posh.

It was the kind of place that smelt of money and finery.

They hardly had time to get out of the car, the camera flashes blinded them.

Draco pulled himself up to his full height and put his arm around Hermione's waist and pulled her close to his side protectively.

He stared down the reporters and they backed off to a safe distance still taking their picture.

Everyone knew Draco Malfoy and his temper, it would be wise not to cross him.

From the minute they entered the restaurant, the maître'd fussed around Draco like a pompous peacock, "Oui monsieur Malfoy, we have everything ready for you and your friend," he said in his thick French accent while eyeing Hermione.

Draco nodded importantly, smiled at Hermione and took her hand.

They were seated, and Hermione burst out laughing.

"Dear Merlin, it must be fun to be you Monsieur Malfoy!" she teased him openly.

"Funny Granger, don't butcher the French language," Draco responded sarcastically.

The walls had ears, and everybody was staring at them.

More than a few people stopped by their table to greet Draco and to Hermione's surprise, people were coming over to speak with her as well.

Apparently, the whole Wizarding World knew about her wedding disaster.

Fucking awesome!

They offered their condolences as if someone had died.

Hermione frowned into her glass of wine.

Draco knew it wasn't easy for her, people could be insensitive fucking morons at times.

He reached across the small table and squeezed her hand reassuringly.

Being together was easy, their conversation wasn't forced, and Hermione didn't have to watch her language or the use of complicated words or phrases like she did with Ron.

She could talk to Draco about books or recent discoveries, but they could also talk shop, "I'm going back to work tomorrow, I spoke to Kingsley," Draco took a sip of his wine, "That's good Granger," he told her calmly.

Hermione reached over and placed her hand on his, "Thank you for everything you've done for me, these past three days have been truly wonderful," she meant every word.

He looked at the fiery Gryffindor, her fire was returning.

"I want to be with you, Granger," Draco didn't mince words.

His father was buried six feet under, there was nothing to hold him back anymore.

"I like you, the sex is great, aren't you at least curious to see where this will take us?" He asked earnestly but cautiously watching her face for any reaction.

If she refused him again, he would gladly shrivel up and die in shame.

The pressure was killing him.

Fuck!

Hermione thought for a bit, she had been thinking of literally nothing else for the past two days.

Her feelings for Draco excited and terrified her.

She took a deep breath and drained her glass of wine,

She started to speak slowly and his heart sank to the pits of his stomach, "We aren't in school anymore but it is still complicated."

Hermione shyly averted her gaze and whispered, "But yes, I'd like to try, very much."

Roaring happiness exploded within him.

Draco leaned in, "It's settled then, Hermione Granger is dating Draco Malfoy."

Hermione laughed, he loved the sound of her laughter, it was intoxicating.

He reached over and kissed her, she cupped his cheek and returned the kiss eagerly.

She wanted him, she had always wanted him.

Nearly everyone at the restaurant stared at the happy couple.

Some curious, few happy but most envious.

A pair of narrowed eyes stared at them from across the restaurant.

She could not stomach the sight of Draco with the Gryffindor Mudblood.

Her dress trailed behind her as she beat a hasty retreat to the door.

Bernard watched them through the rearview mirror and smiled.

The boy had done it, he had finally told her how he truly felt.

He had always worried that Lucius had crushed that part of Draco, making him scared to express his feelings and love.

Back at his flat...

They were back in the flat.

Draco twirled Hermione and pulled her against his body.

His mouth claimed hers and she responded eagerly.

They snuggled in bed, her back to him, their fingers entwined, while he kissed her shoulder and neck.

Their clothes lay in a messy trail from the living room to his bedroom.

Draco muttered between kisses, "Mmmm...I'm going to miss you, Granger."

Hermione closed her eyes savouring his kisses and touch, "I was wondering whether you'd like to spend the night at my flat?"

He tapped his chin and pretended to think.

"Draco?" she playfully shoved him and asked impatiently.

He laughed and asked curiously, "Sure Granger, why not, will you cook for me?"

Hermione hesitated, "Never mind, let's just hang out here."

Draco laughed out loud and tickled Hermione, she flung her arms wildly trying to get away from him, but he was way too strong.

He pinned her hands above her head and stared deeply into the bright eyes she possessed.

He was falling for her all over again but this time he wasn't going to let her go.

Word got around fast, and Hermione and Draco were bombarded by the press as they made their way to work.

He reluctantly kissed her goodbye and watched as she disapparated to the Ministry.

Ginny had been first to contact her, and she heard the red-headed girl squeal excitedly, "MALFOY? I'm coming over in the evening and NO BUTS."

Hermione laughed and agreed wholeheartedly.

She missed Ginny and wanted nothing more than to have a girly chat over a glass of wine.

Bernard hid a smile, "Are you okay, son?"

Draco frowned and wondered how Hermione was handling the media storm, he had clearly misjudged the magnitude of attention to their relationship status.

Ex Death Eater, Draco Malfoy, dates Golden Girl, Hermione Granger, he guessed it sold newspapers.

He snapped back to the present at Bernard's voice, "Yes, I'm fine...I'm just very worried about Hermione."

Bernard chuckled, "Miss Granger is a tough woman, she will be just fine."

Draco laughed, Bernard was right about that, the woman was tougher than nails.

He missed her terribly.

Going back to his empty flat wasn't appealing in the least.

Her smell and touch were embedded in him and for better or worse, he needed it now.

"I always hoped you would end up with Miss Granger," the old man declared proudly.

Draco smiled, he knew Bernard was fond of Hermione and how could you blame him?

Granger was perfection!

"Yes, old man, I'm well aware how much you like Hermione," Draco replied with a smug smile.

Half the day wasn't done, and Hermione was already exhausted.

The constant stream of owls and calls had her head spinning.

Her mouth felt dry from the numerous times she said, "No comment."

Hermione wondered how Draco was handling it, probably quite well by telling everyone to fuck off!

She laughed internally at the thought and returned to her reports.

She raised her head from the pile of papers and narrowed her eyes at the raised voices outside the small office.

Brenda appeared looking annoyed and flustered.

She was Hermione's competent assistant.

The girl was fresh out of Hogwarts, with a sweet disposition and bright colourful clothes.

Her eyes kept darting to the door nervously, "There is a Mister Ronald Weasley to see you, Hermione."

She knew Ron was outside, she could hear him demanding to see her.

Hermione smiled warmly and instructed, "Calm down Brenda and send him in."

Brenda was visibly relieved, her face relaxed and she hurriedly went outside to inform Ron, who cursed out aloud, "About fucking time!"

Hermione adjusted her shirt and glasses and watched in mild amusement as the red-headed man came towards her, his shoes scraped against the floor noisily.

His ears were a flaming red and his face contorted in anger.

Ron slammed the Daily Prophet in front of her and asked in absolute fury, "Have you fucking seen this?"

Hermione glanced at the paper, Draco and she had made the front page.

Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger

Businessman and Saint.

Ex Death Eater and Golden Girl.

Granger seeks comfort in Malfoy's arms.

Is the eligible bachelor finally ready to settle down?

It had a detailed description, with a blown-up picture of Draco kissing her.

Hermione sighed, he was so handsome.

They looked really good together!

The thought made her smile, much to the irritation of the thoroughly pissed off man in front of her.

Ron yelled in her face, spit flying in all directions, "HERMIONE, HAVE YOU BEEN SHACKED UP WITH HIM FOR THE PAST THREE DAYS?"

Hermione made a repulsed face, she was disgusted by the specks of spit that landed on her table and hand.

Losing her patience, she got to her feet slowly, "Yes, I've been with Draco."

She replied with equal fury, her eyes challenging Ron.

He banged his fists down on her table, sending its contents scattering in every direction.

Deranged and furious, he bellowed, "HAVE YOU FUCKING SLEPT WITH HIM?"

The mere thought of the slimy git's hand on her was driving him to the edge.

Hermione knew she was being cruel, maybe even vengeful but her eyes lit up and filled with fire.

She leaned across the desk, her face inches away from his, pausing at every word for effect, she whispered huskily, "Every single night."

Keeping her voice deadly cold, Hermione followed through, "Now get out of my office, Weasley."

Ron staggered and reeled back as if she slapped him.

He wished she had, it would have hurt far less than the words she uttered.

An icy coldness gripped his heart and he almost fell to the ground.

No, he thought and willed himself to calm down.

Struggling to keep his composure, he pleaded softly, "We need to talk, love."

Hermione leaned against her chair, "Well, I'm not ready to talk to you"

"Are you with him?" He asked, hurt and anguish in his voice

"Yes, I am," She told him truthfully, there was no reason to spare his feelings.

Ron swallowed hard at the blatant realization of his actions, "Are you going to throw away everything we shared?"

Hermione laughed, a sarcastically angry laugh, "That's fucking rich, you know what you did, Ron, so don't you dare try to pin this on me."

Ron nodded curtly at his ex-fiancé, fuming he turned on his heel and left.

There was little point in talking to her now!

Brenda poked her head into the office and asked in concern, "Are you okay?"

Hermione leaned against her chair and let out a deep breath.

She didn't want to hurt Ron but there was little point in giving him any kind of hope.

Hermione stopped by Harry's office to speak to him but he wasn't in.

He was out scouting for the missing Death Eaters, they had received word that they were trying to rally past allies and sympathizers.

The situation was getting far more dangerous by the day.

She had to meet Draco, but she was desperate to see Ginny.

They spoke and decided to meet at the Leaky Cauldron.

Kingsley was being sympathetic towards Hermione, and she used it to her advantage, informing a weary Minister of Magic that she had a rough day back and wished to leave early.

He hadn't argued but dismissed her immediately, afraid that she might cry or worse, confide in him.

Quite proud of her accomplishment of fooling the Minister, she wondered if Draco's innate Slytheriness was rubbing off on her.

Heaven forbid.

The first thing Ginny did was hug Hermione tightly to her and then shove her hard, "Don't you ever do that again! If you want to fucking disappear, fine, but TELL ME!"

Hermione smiled at her friend and they settled at a table.

They ordered their drinks and Ginny spoke, her tone serious and full of concern, "Hermione, are you sure about this?"

This was Draco Malfoy after all.

Hermione played with her hands, "I'm not sure about anything anymore, Ginny, but I'm sure of how Draco makes me feel."

Her eyes twinkled at the mention of Draco's name and Ginny smiled.

She was still not sure what to make of Hermione and Malfoys relationship, but she would be supportive of her friend's choice despite who her brother was.

"So, it's over with Ron for good then?" Ginny asked cautiously, she pointedly avoided looking at Hermione.

Hermione sighed, "I think so Gin, I'm sorry, but I think I'm falling in love with Draco."

Ginny moved closer to Hermione and squeezed her hand, " I might be Ron's sister but you know that you have my support."

Hermione's face broke out in a smile, "Thanks Gin, you have no idea what that means to me."

Ginny was thoughtful, "Malfoy has always liked you."

Hermione flinched, she knew Ginny was no idiot!

Even back at Hogwarts, she had questioned Hermione on multiple occasions about Draco.

Hermione tactfully changed the subject, and Ginny gladly spoke about Harry and what a wanker Ron was, obviously she was still very upset with her brother.

If Draco thought the press was bad, his next visitor made him groan.

His displeasure was clear to his secretary and she smiled sympathetically.

He frowned and instructed reluctantly, "Show her in Doris."

Doris was used to Astoria's impromptu visits.

Astoria Greengrass!

Former Hogwarts shag mate, obsessed with marrying him, Financial Advisor to the stars and quidditch players, and pureblood nutball was sitting across him, studying his office.

Leaning against the chair, he regarded the elegantly dressed woman sitting in front of him.

He wished, she would hurry up and say what she needed to.

Fuck it!

Draco broke the silence that was suffocating him, he had shit to do.

"Wonderful evening isn't it, Astoria?" Draco said politely.

Astoria looked away, her eyes lingered on his Muggle books.

She ignored what he said and asked haughtily, "I didn't know you were in a relationship with Hermione Granger."

Her displeasure at the current turn of events, evident in her tone and body language.

"Well, now you know," he replied coldly, wondering why he owed her any explanation.

"And where does that leave us?" She asked, straight to the point.

He leaned forward and took a deep breath, "Astoria, we are nothing and never have been, our families expected a union but with my father's death that all died too."

Her eyes narrowed and challenged knowing it would infuriate him, "I thought you were a man of your word."

She was beginning to push his buttons and piss him the fuck off.

He glared sternly and retorted bluntly, "I am! But it's not my word now, is it? I'm not responsible for ridiculous promises made by a lunatic."

He fucking hoped that she would finally let go of this ridiculous notion of marriage.

"Your father was a great man," she replied fiercely, standing over him.

Draco eyed her with mild interest, "My father was a raging fanatic and he's been dead for years! I think we are about done here Astoria."

He wanted her out of his office and out of his life.

She walked away from him and smiled sweetly at the door, "Oh my love, we are just beginning."

Draco stared after her.

Delusional bitch.