Chapter 15

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

THE STORM BEFORE THE CALM

INTENSITY X 10

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

To all the comments:- WOW! I'm blown away! All I ask is that you bear with me! :) :)

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

Enjoy Chapter Fifteen!

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

HAPPY READING! :)

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

At Draco's flat...

Back at his flat, Draco sat on the plush sofa and thought about what happened.

Maybe he had been too harsh on Hermione, maybe Ron was being a fucking prick.

So many maybes!

He never handled "maybe's" very well, he dealt in definite answers.

The only constant was the gut-wrenching pain he felt at the thought of losing her.

Hermione stared into her cup of tea unable to drink it.

She was utterly miserable.

Draco's departing face was etched in her memory.

He was suffering and she was the cause of it, unintentionally of course, but he hadn't stayed to listen to reason.

Stubborn bloody Slytherin.

What the hell was Ron thinking? Showing up at her place unannounced like that.

Had one dance sparked hope? She was going to have a real heart to heart with him.

It was time for him to let go of the past. The only love and affection she felt for him were as a friend.

Frustrated, Hermione got up and attended to the menial tasks of cleaning her small flat.

Hours went by and Draco remained silent, she couldn't bear it any longer.

Rushing into her room, she hurriedly pulled on a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt.

Putting caution to the wind, Hermione apparated directly into Draco's flat like she always did. If he didn't like it, tough shit!

The lights were dim, there were no signs of him.

Shit! Had he gone out? Giving up, she almost collapsed onto the plush leather couch.

A deep grunt and groan pierced through the silence.

Despite the emptiness of the living room, she could faintly smell him.

Hermione felt her legs turn to jelly.

Merlin, please don't be what she thought it to be.

Her breathing quickened and she held onto the wall to steady herself.

Life couldn't be this cruel. She loved Draco with a purity, she had never experienced.

The grunts got louder as she got closer.

Newer, unfamiliar noises were mixed in-between the sounds of a pleasured man.

With trembling fingers, she pushed open the door.

She was not ready for what greeted her and she gasped in surprise.

He turned to face her; his face emotionless.

Ignoring her, he continued with what he was doing.

Draco knew Hermione would turn up; he just didn't know when

A satisfied smirk curved his lips, let her watch.

He was barefoot, she followed his lead and took off her shoes.

Carefully leaving it by the door, she cautiously stepped into the padded room.

He didn't acknowledge her presence, and she didn't disturb him.

Awkwardly leaning against a full-length mirror, she watched him with growing interest.

The sound of his leg hitting the punching bag, echoed through the room.

He grunted loudly as it made contact.

Draco worked his way through a kickboxing routine.

Muggle fighting techniques, effective for close combat, like his beat down on the Weasel at the Quidditch tournament.

The sweat dripped off him steadily, he was drenched in it.

His adrenaline pumping, he continued his assault on the unsuspecting punching bag.

His short strands of hair stuck up awkwardly, but it suited him, his bare body glistened with sweat, it coated his defined torso and sculptured stomach.

Hermione felt her eyes linger and travel over him appreciatively.

She felt the familiar tug behind her navel and a stirring below.

A low whimper escaped her lips and Draco turned to face her, raising his eyebrow in question.

Wondering how she was going to fuck him without touching him came to mind.

He had been clear in telling her not to touch him.

She frowned, they were in the middle of a fight and she was thinking about fucking him,

Really woman? You're thinking about sex?

Priorities Hermione, priorities.

Clearly, he wasn't going to talk or do anything but stand around kicking a dusty, dirty bag hanging from the ceiling.

"We need to talk," Hermione said firmly.

He wasn't going to run away this time, he was going to listen to her.

Draco kicked the bag hard and followed it up with two quick punches.

His muscles rippled and sweat glistened off his body.

Silence...

Rolling her eyes, she tried again, "WE NEED TO TALK," more loudly this time.

He gave the bag a high kick and it flew to the other side of the room.

Her eyes flew open at the raw strength he possessed.

Okay, so maybe this was a bad idea.

Hermione took a step back, putting a bit of distance between them.

Draco watched her move away from him, that hurt.

He rasped, "Don't step away as if I would hurt you. I'd sooner hurt myself than you."

It was the truth.

He closed the distance between them.

Hermione gulped, despite the dripping sweat, he smelt amazing.

"About Ron..." she started to say, but he held up a gloved hand to silence her.

The absolute fury he felt, the raw anger that had flowed through his veins was there but subdued.

His words were calculated, "There's nothing to talk about, Granger."

When she opened her mouth to speak, he shut her up again, "But I will say this, if you want Weasley, I won't hold you back."

He said it through clenched teeth tasting the bile at the fucking unpleasantness of her back in Weasley's arms.

Draco was done fighting, his earlier outburst at her flat was from a place deep within.

A place bottled up with insecurity and darkness.

A forbidden place from his past.

Hermione scoffed, WANT WEASLEY? RON? was he barking mad.

Fire and blood...

A haze descended upon Hermione, her eyes burning with purpose.

Her very being was on pure unadulterated fire!

Draco was close enough for Hermione to grab him, and she did.

Grabbing him roughly, she stared him down.

Never the man to back down, he matched her intensity and ferocity.

The Gryffindor in her leapt out and consumed her, "I listened to you. Now listen to me."

He didn't break eye contact, he saw the fire raging within.

She poked him in the chest, "I'm not a fucking child who doesn't know what she wants."

Her breathing rapid, she hissed, "I want you, Ron means nothing to me."

His chest heaved at the sincerity of her words.

Without hesitation, he brought his head down and crushed her lips with his.

Hard enough that his lip split and he tasted blood.

He felt so good under her fingers, she had felt him more times than she could count but each time it was different.

Backed up against the mirror, his hands roamed under her t-shirt, the hard material of his gloves against her skin.

The rough texture felt good, its roughness left goosebumps where it touched.

He pushed the t-shirt up and she removed it, throwing it away from her, while he unhooked her bra.

Pressing up against her, feeling the soft mounds against his chest, he kissed her again, running his talented tongue along her neck.

Hermione snaked her hand down and undid the drawstring of his jogging bottoms, it fell to the ground in a heap.

His erection pressed against her jeans, his cock demanded to be let free.

She wiggled her arse wanting to shed her jeans, she couldn't wait to get out of them.

Draco sensed her discomfort, taking a nipple in his mouth, he undid the buttons and helped her to squeeze out of her tight jeans.

He groaned against her breast, twirling his tongue around the hardened nipple, the sensation went to her core.

Tightening small fingers in his hair, she held him in place and leaned forward pushing herself against his mouth.

Placing his hand on top of the flimsy material that covered her sex, he slowly rubbed the area through the material.

The sultry moans that came off her were like sweet music to his ears, it fueled his own desire.

Hooking his fingers through the band of her knickers, he tugged at it hard and it fell to the floor in shreds of pink and white.

Her wetness was compelling, a long finger found its way expertly within her tightness.

Hermione was naturally tight, no matter how many times they had sex, her little hidden garden remained so fucking tight.

He loved it!

Moving his fingers around her slick folds, he brought her to that point of no return, he inserted his finger deep within her and felt her spasm.

Hermione threw her head back and let out a low whimper.

Completely naked he withdrew his fingers and placed his firm hands on her buttocks.

He lifted her, she wrapped her legs around him and slipped against his sweatiness.

Draco tightened his hold on Hermione, his hardness pressed into her side.

She groaned with wanting.

Carrying her to the middle of the training mat, he put her down roughly.

They were completely exposed, she felt his cock tease her entrance.

Draco took her hard and Hermione moaned taking every hard inch of him within her.

Merlin, this man was amazing. He pounded into her with sheer determination.

Her fingers dug deep into his back, fingernails scraping the skin, momentary regret at the marks she would have caused on his pale skin, a dent to his perfectness.

Her hips moved in unison to his, she met his thrusts with her own, arching her back.

Long fingers ran seductive patterns along her body feeling every inch.

Her fingers roamed his firmness and shapely body before moving into his hair.

Closing her eyes, she felt her heat, it felt like the calm between the storm.

It gathered from all parts of her body to her swollen little clit.

He sucked on the base of her throat and with one push, she came undone, "Oh...my...god...Draco."

He let her ride the blissful release, holding back his own.

He was about to explode.

Hermione saw his beautiful thrusts through the mirror in front of them, the rise and fall of his arse as he fucked her was erotically stimulating to watch.

They looked sinful, moving the way they did.

Light kisses adorned her neck and she held him tight.

He released his pent-up anger, frustration, and sweet love for the woman beneath him.

Draco groaned aloud, not bothering to muffle his pleasured release.

"I love you Draco, don't ever doubt that," Hermione whispered in his ear as he lay on top of her.

Breathing hard, he pulled out and moved to her side.

They lay side by side in his training room, staring at the ceiling in silence.

He got up and pulled her up with him, she staggered.

Draco didn't hesitate he put his arms under Hermione and carried her bridal style.

Naked she rested her head against his chest, as he walked towards the bathroom.

Once inside, he gently placed her down and they showered together, enjoying the water wash over them.

He leaned against her back and whispered, "You are my everything, Granger."

Closing her eyes, she leaned against him.

A few days later at The Ministry of Magic.

Hermione stood by Kingsley's table with a file in a hand.

They had caught a Death Eater and the men in the room were jubilant.

Harry's eyes sparkled, and Draco ran his fingers through his hair.

She made eye contact and smiled; he returned the smile lovingly.

Kingsley spoke and they all listened to the Minister of Magic, "Have vertiserum ready, Potter, he might be unwilling to talk."

Harry nodded in agreement, "Angus has it on standby."

Kingsley beamed and declared proudly, "Good work gentlemen! Good work indeed!"

The captured man sat in the interrogation room, waiting to be questioned.

Magically chained, dirt-caked inside his fingernails, ripped clothes, his skin blue and grey with malnutrition.

The near decomposing man was skin and bone.

His eyes widened in shock as Harry entered the small room and closed the door.

The man let out a blood-curdling scream at the sight of the man that vanquished his beloved Dark Lord.

Harry narrowed his eyes to mere slits, "You will give us what we want or so help me you will beg for the Dementor's kiss before we are done with you."

He tried a little bit of good cop, bad cop.

He needed information to where the others were. This pathetic man in front of him was a small fry.

The only useful information they had been able to gather from the snivelling man was that the man in charge was Dolohov.

Pure rage surged within Harry at the remembrance of the name, the bastard killed Remus Lupin.

Dolohov was a Death Eater, who served in Voldemort's inner circle, he was powerful and formidable.

It was unwelcome news indeed, that he oversaw the new illustrious bunch of Death Eaters and sympathizers.

Draco had been vital in the man's capture and his face contorted with disgust at hearing Dolohov's name.

The man had an innate hatred towards Muggle-borns.

He was ruthless and murderous, the merciless Death Eater would stop at nothing to fulfil his goal.

Draco itched to catch him soon.

He had a debt to settle.

Later that night after work.

He heard a small cough, and he looked up to see Hermione standing by the door of his small office.

She had a bowl in her hand.

Walking in, she placed the bowl in front of him, in it was vanilla ice cream with chocolate chips.

He smacked his lips, it was one of his favourite snacks.

She plonked down on the sofa and tucked her legs under, "I want to plan Ginny's Hen night."

He came around to sit on the table facing her and ate a spoonful of ice cream.

Thoughtfully, she asked, "I was thinking of having it at the Club, is that alright?"

Few drops of ice cream landed on his chin, Hermione reached and brushed it off licking her fingers in the process.

Draco leaned over and kissed her nose, his lips felt cold. "Of course, darling, don't worry about."

Hermione squealed in delight and hugged him tightly.

She leaned against the door and asked earnestly, "Right I'm off to bed, are you coming?"

He shook his head miserably, "No babe you carry on, I have to finish these reports or Blaise will have my head."

He heard her sweet laughter as she walked away.

Girls day out...

The two Gryffindor's sat across each other in the pub slash restaurant.

Ginny was having her usual Tuna melt sandwich and Hermione opted for something new and gone with a chicken mayonnaise sandwich.

After taking one bite, she regretted her decision at once and washed it down with her milkshake.

She grinned and squealed unable to contain the excitement in her voice, "Hen night, Friday night."

"AWESOME," Ginny replied excitedly completely abandoning her sandwich.

"I was thinking Gin, shall we invite the rest of the girls?" Hermione asked Ginny thoughtfully.

She rattled off a list, "Luna, of course, the Harpies, anyone I've missed?"

Ginny scrunched her face in thought, "Nope, I think that's about it."

Hermione drained her milkshake, "How's Ron? I've been meaning to speak to him after he turned up at my flat."

She shuddered at the memory.

Ginny took a handful of chips and stuffed her face, "He's in Russia, training."

Frowning, Hermione absentmindedly sipped her milkshake, the milky strawberry tasted amazing.

Her sandwich disaster forgotten, she focused on the one thing she got right.

HEN NIGHT

The ladies decided on meeting directly at the club, except Ginny who Hermione had agreed to chauffeur.

She was the bride to be, after all.

Bernard picked her up, Draco had graciously given up his Bentley for the night.

The men were in Downtown London at a new wizarding pub, owned by a business partner.

It was the opening and Draco and Blaise had been invited.

Of course, they took Theo with them and extended an invitation to Potter.

Harry had been taken back by Malfoys invite but graciously decided to accept the offer.

Obviously, the man was trying for Hermione's sake and Harry decided he would too.

If they could catch Death Eaters together, having a pint should be fairly easy, besides, he was having a rather enjoyable time with the ex-Slytherins.

"Whose round is it?" Theo asked over the noise.

They all looked at Draco and he growled, "Do I look like a bunch of walking Galleons to you lot?"

Theo snorted, "Actually you look like a fucking prat."

Blaise roared with laughter, "You got to admit, you fucking walked right into that one."

Draco grinned, "Yeah, keep talking fuckers."

He got up and went to the bar to place their order.

When he returned, Blaise and Theo were having an animated argument.

"A hundred galleons say I get her number before you," Theo challenged Blaise.

"You're on mate," Blaise laughed and shook Theos hand.

Draco leaned against the chair, "And Luna is okay with this?"

Theo shrugged his shoulders and retorted sadly, "She wants time Drake, I told you that. Besides, this is just a bit of fun."

Draco and Harry watched in interest as Theo and Blaise approached the table confidently.

Within minutes, Theo blushed bright red, leaving a laughing Blaise at the table, he came rushing back to theirs.

"Trouble mate?" Draco asked innocently trying hard not to laugh.

Theo glared at Blaise, who was now talking to the women at the table.

They turned to look at Draco and he straightened surprised by the look they gave him.

Theo spat out bitterly, "That fucking idiot, he told them I was recovering from a social illness."

Harry burst out laughing and Draco joined in, "Fuck, that's bad."

Blaise swaggered back to their table confidently.

Theo shoved him, "You fucker, that wasn't fair."

Blaise smirked, "I never said anything, about playing fair."

He put the parchment with the woman's number in front of Theos nose and stretched out his hand, "Pay up bitch."

Theo laughed hard and reluctantly handed over the money.

Blaise rolled his eyes and said, "To be fair, they were more interested in Draco than any of us."

Draco grinned, "I'm a taken man mate."

Nobody compared to Granger, not even close.

He eyed Harry and mused, "Potter, you okay there?"

Potters eyes had glazed over.

Harry was on his third bottle of Firewhisky and he was feeling the effects of it, "Yeah, I'm good, thanks for the invite Malfoy."

He meant it wholeheartedly.

Draco waved his hand cooly, "Don't worry about it."

He shouted at the other two men, "You buggers already know this, but Potters engaged."

Theo almost spat out his drink and Blaise rose to pat Harry on the back.

He stared at the men and exclaimed, "Damn, is every fucker in a relationship except me?"

Blaise pointed to Theo and said lightly heartbroken, "Even this git is with Luna."

The lanky blonde opened his mouth to say that he technically wasn't but closed it again, he really wanted to be.

Banging his mug on the table, Blaise declared loudly enough for everyone to turn and look at them, "I'm going to get fucking wasted, congratulations Potter."

The men laughed at Blaise's retreating figure as he went to order the next round at the bar.

Ginny was impressed by the Muggle car

She leaned into the upholstery of the luxurious car, ran her fingers along the material and said, "Brooms and apparation are nothing compared to this."

Bernard chuckled, "Might I offer my congratulations Miss Weasley and tell you both how gorgeous you look tonight."

Hermione reached over and patted Bernard's hand, "Thank you so much."

Ginny cried excitedly, "THANK YOU!"

Hermione covered her ears, "Okay, you need to calm down."

Ginny laughed and Hermione hugged her friend tightly.

Bernard took them right to the front and the valet greeted them at once.

The minute she stepped out with Ginny, a few cameras went off taking their picture.

Ginny whispered mischievously, "Bet we make the papers tomorrow Hermione."

Girls gone wild, great!

The Manager snapped to attention, "This way Miss Granger, we've been expecting you, Winston will be your server tonight and please, if you need anything please let me know."

Hermione smiled warmly at him, "Thank you, Adam," he was shocked but pleased that she remembered his name.

He stepped aside, and Winston led them to the VIP section.

The music pumped, and the place was packed.

Hermione couldn't help but move to the music when she felt a hand across her waist pull her backwards.

Draco lightly brushed her earlobe and rasped, "You look beautiful, green suits you."

Hermione turned in his arms to give him a quick kiss.

He let her go and greeted the women, "Evening Ladies!"

There were many choruses of Hi's, hope everything's good and this place is awesome.

Harry made his way to Ginny and kissed her full on the mouth, holding her close and cradling her to his body.

Ginny mused, "Harry are you drunk?"

Theo and Blaise came from behind and Luna beamed, Theo, smiled at her sheepishly and engaged her in conversation.

Blaise looked at his friend and snorted.

Theo shot him a disgusted look and whispered menacingly, "Don't you dare fuck this up for me."

Luna whispered something in Theos ear, and they disappeared.

Blaise and Draco exchanged knowing looks.

Hermione placed her palm on Draco's chest, "You want to dance?"

He held her close, kissed her heatedly and mumbled, "Tempting."

He broke away reluctantly, "But I've got some papers to go through darling, but I promise I'll join you soon."

Hermione pouted and he planted another quick kiss to her lips and spoke to Blaise over the music, "Shall we go sort this shit out?"

Blaise was just getting to know a Harpies teammate of Ginny's but as Draco's business partner and occasional financial advisor, he knew he had to fucking go.

Groaning, he reluctantly followed Draco to the lavish office above the Club.

An hour passed and they had covered most of the problems at hand when Theo burst in.

He joked jovially, "The women are sloshed and Luna and I are dating."

He crashed onto the couch, relieved that it finally happened.

Draco and Blaise exchanged looks and got up to hug their friend.

Theo pushed them away jokingly, "Stop you buggers, I didn't get fucking married."

The two men let out a low laugh and returned to their papers.

Theo stretched, got to his feet and went to stand by the large glass window that was the perfect vantage point for everything happening below.

Draco had purposely gotten it installed to keep an eye on whatever was going on in the Club.

Theo narrowed his eyes and hissed darkly, "Holy Fuck."

Draco raised a curious eyebrow, "What the hell are you on about it?"

Theo pointed to the crowd below, "The Cannons are in the Club, Drake."

Draco narrowed his eyes, this was going to end badly.

Ron and his team commandeered a table and seemed to be ordering big.

They looked completely piss faced.

He could see Potter, Ginny, Hermione, and Luna walk up to Weasley through the crowded floor.

Hermione glanced up at him in concern.

She could see Draco watching their movements from his office, she went with her friends enthusiastically.

She hung back and talked with Luna, the quirky blonde had finally accepted Theo and the two were officially dating.

Draco was no longer interested in his papers, he stayed with Theo by the window intently watching Weasley's movements.

Potter shook his hand, Ginny gave her brother a quick peck, Luna, and Hermione waved awkwardly without getting too close.

They returned to their table and Draco could see Weasel Shit staring at Hermione as she danced with Ginny and Luna.

He fucking knew that look.

Blaise called out, "Oi, let's finish this shit and head down."

Draco tore himself from the window unwillingly and sat back down, eager to finish as quickly as possible.

Fifteen minutes went by and Theo swore, a low hiss escaped his lips," The no-good fucker."

Again, Blaise and Draco looked up at him and he pointed downwards, his face twisted in an ugly sneer.

Ron grabbed Hermione from behind and ground into her as she tried to shove him away.

Luna looked uncomfortable and Ginny and Harry were nowhere in sight.

Draco narrowed his eyes in fury and balled his hands into fists.

Blaise joined him, and his face changed from its usual calm to anger, Theo rubbed his knuckles menacingly beside them.

All it took was a moment's hesitation, Draco barely had time to turn around.

Ron turned Hermione around, trapping her to his chest and kissed her full on the mouth.

Draco saw it through a haze, another man's lips on his beloved, another man's hands on her back, her hands trapped between her breasts and his chest.

Why wasn't she pulling away? Please, Merlin, let her pull away.

Draco felt the floor open and swallow him whole.

Specks of red adorned his vision, "I'm going to kill that motherfucker."

He was already on his way down when Blaise and Theo caught up.

"RON, WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?" Hermione screamed in his face; she beat on his chest with her hands.

She felt tears of frustration sting her eyes but he was too strong and very drunk if only she could reach her wand.

Ron drunkenly slurred and tried to kiss her again, "Come on, darling, I know you want this."

Missing her lips, he planted a mushy kiss on her neck.

Her body went limp with disgust.

Instant repulsion, she felt the bile rise in her throat.

Draco reached for his wand but remembered the Muggles.

Fuck.

Draco reached Ron and Hermione entangled together, without hesitation he grabbed Ron by the collar and roughly spun him around.

"Oi, what the f...?" Was all Ron could get out, Draco's fist connected with his face and he went flying backwards.

Ron wiped the blood with the back of his hand and stood up threateningly.

His teammates helped him up and they glared at Draco.

Draco bellowed, "STAY THE FUCK AWAY FROM MY GIRLFRIEND."

Ron sneered, ignoring Draco, he spoke directly to Hermione, "I know you loved it, babe, I'll see you later sweetheart."

He blew her a quick kiss and disappeared into the crowd.

She stared after him stunned and rooted to the spot.

Everyone was staring at her, their expressions curious.

Ron staggered drunkenly from the Club, almost losing his balance and hitting the curb.

He knew Draco owned the bloody place and he did not fancy himself getting beaten up to a pulp by the security blokes.

Even with his teammates, they were horribly outnumbered, besides he achieved what he set out to do.

The insecure Slytherin prat looked positively murderous.

Phase two - Complete.

Smiling to himself, Ron hummed a tune as he apparated to his messy flat.

He would face Harry and his sister in due time but tonight victory was his, Malfoy was bound to chuck Hermione now!

Draco stared after the cowards retreating figure long after he had gone.

He slowly turned to his girlfriend; his face contorted with pure rage.

They made eye contact; her body was convulsing with anger.

Ginny and Harry appeared from the far end of the dance floor hurriedly and were standing by Hermione looking concerned.

She reached out cautiously to touch Draco, but he moved his arm away and pointed a finger at her unable to speak.

He backed away slowly, his eyes never leaving hers.

Pain, so much pain.

She sobbed tears of frustration while Ginny and Luna hugged her.

"It'll be ok, Mi," Ginny reassuringly told Hermione. Her brother had gone too fucking far!

Wiping her tears, Hermione made to follow Draco, but Blaise stepped in and advised firmly, "Let him go, Granger, he needs a bit of time."

Hermione looked into Blaise's sympathetic face and nodded miserably.

Theo and Blaise exchanged a grave look over her head.

Blaise took the opposite seat and asked in concern, "Mate, you okay?"

Draco had a bottle open and his head in his hands.

Theo cleared his throat, "Potter said he'll take Hermione home but she's refusing to leave without you."

It was the truth! Hermione had flat out refused to leave until she spoke to her boyfriend.

Draco looked up, his eyes bloodshot, "No, I'll take her home."

He managed to get up, he swayed dangerously, Theo held onto him and they made their way downstairs.

Hermione sat with her hands in her lap, playing unconsciously with her bracelet.

She watched Draco's approaching figure curiously, he was a complete fucking mess.

She stood up as he got close, "Draco..."

He silenced her with his hand and said in a flat, deadly tone, "Let's go home,"

Hermione looked at him in anguish and nodded at once.

She said her goodbyes and Ginny made her promise to call.

Ginny went up to Draco and gave him a quick peck on the cheek, "Thank you so much, Malfoy, and I'm sorry about my moronic brother," it was the best she could do until she got a hold of Ron.

Draco smiled slightly and Harry patted his back, "Later, mate."

Luna went to stand by Theo, and he dropped a kiss on her forehead.

She put her arms around him and hugged him close.

The silence in the car was unnerving.

Bernard looked in the rearview mirror in worry, something unsettling had happened between the two.

Draco stared out of the window deep in thought, his head against the cool glass.

Hermione stared at him intently, not daring to reach out and touch him.

After a few moments, she broke the silence, "Please take me home, Bernard."

"NO," came the stern reply from Draco.

He hissed darkly, "Take us to my flat and you are dismissed for the night."

Bernard did not reply but nodded solemnly at Draco.

Once they got out of the car Draco grabbed Hermione's wrist and they apparated directly into his flat, he let her go and she fell onto his couch.

He went straight to the bar and expertly fixed himself a drink.

Hermione pressed her lips down and muttered, "Don't you think you've had enough to drink tonight?"

A burst of low sarcastic laughter escaped his lips and he drained the contents in the crystal tumbler.

He tossed back another drink and sneered, "Is Weasley expecting you tonight or do you come and go as you please?"

Hermione staggered and fired back, "WHAT?"

She couldn't believe her ears, "You believe the lies he told?"

She closed the distance between them and he stepped back wanting to get away from her.

Hermione cried indignantly, "YOU SAW WHAT HAPPENED."

Draco laughed manically, "Yeah, I saw you kiss him; EVERYONE saw you fucking kiss him."

She tried desperately to convince him, "Are you deluded? Ron was drunk, he kissed me."

She did her best to make him see reason but she was not going to fight to prove her innocence.

He fired back, "BULLSHIT! Why Granger, do you miss him? Am I not good enough for you?"

Always second best, his father's voice echoed in his head.

Draco leered, "Are you going to fuck him next or have you already?"

Searing hot pain cut through him and he was bleeding to death.

With every word Draco uttered, Hermione's temper spiralled out of control and threatened to consume her whole.

Did he believe what he was saying or was he just drunk? Either way, she was not going to tolerate it for much longer.

Draco took a step towards Hermione and she stood her ground.

He yelled, "YOU HAD THE FUCKING NERVE TO KISS WEASLEY IN MY FUCKING CLUB! IN FRONT OF ME?"

He stared her down, his eyes a raging whirlwind of anger, "THIS IS OVER, GRANGER, I DON'T NEED YOU ANYMORE."

Coldness seeped in; the icy sensation replaced the blood in her veins.

The words, "I DON'T NEED YOU ANYMORE," echoed within her mind, drumming against the threads of her sanity, pulling dangerously at its strings.

The room spun, she willed herself to remain calm. Her knuckles turned white from clutching the table hard.

He watched her intently, what the fuck was wrong with her? She looked like she was going to pass out.

Draco moved closer to catch her if she did.

Hanging her head, she asked in pain, "How can you doubt me Draco?"

Hurt and pain latched on to each word as she tried to regain control.

He sneered and taunted, "Considering how we got together, can you blame me?"

The regret was immediate!

Draco wanted to take it back!

Hermione flinched and reeled back as if he physically assaulted her.

Salazar her face!

He had thrown the whirlwind start to their relationship in her face, the fact that she cheated on Ron by giving herself to him.

Her eyes said it all.

What the fuck had he done!? I'm sorry, he wanted to tell her repeatedly, but it just would not come out.

He wanted to hold her tight and never let go.

A desperate gasp escaped from the depths of her despair.

She stared at him like he was a stranger. If he could have died, he would have gladly chosen this moment to do so.

To have the man she loved so ardently, throw her biggest regret in her face was like a knife through her heart.

He was the other sinning party; he knew what happened.

For him to use it against her was unforgivable, it made her skin crawl.

He had delivered their death sentence.

Hermione stared him down, she willed back the tears that threatened to fall and threw him a look of pure disgust, "Fuck you, Malfoy!"

Leaning towards her, he ran a long finger down her cheek and whispered viciously, "Been there, done that."

Hermione moved away from his touch.

Fuck this! She didn't need this from him.

Throwing him one last look of contempt, she apparated directly into her flat.

Her head was spinning with the severity of the situation.

She fell where she stood, hugging her legs to her chest, she cried and let the tears fall steadily.

Could their precious relationship survive this?

She could kill Ron for his part in this.

A dark cloud descended over Draco; he had trusted her, and she had taken that trust and shoved it down his throat.

The embarrassment, the humiliation of having his girlfriend in the arms of another man right before his own eyes.

He had given her everything! There wasn't anything left for him to offer another human being.

She was his light and that light flickered and died.

Draco did not forgive easily, he never forgot either, he got even.

It was the Slytherin way.