Chapter 3
„Draco, this woman is a firecracker!“ Blaise said while walking in circles around the coffee table.
„Might be related to her obnoxious hair color“, Draco mumbled, scanning files he had laid out on said table.
„Are you listening?“ His friend’s face appeared in front of him.
„Back off! God, you’ve had sex! Good for you, now let me work!“ Draco shoved him with one hand, but Blaise held his ground and snatched the file out of his hand.
„Someone’s grumpy, I see. Does it have to do with this? What is it anyway?“
„That’s confidential! Give it back!“, he hopped from the couch he sat on and leaped after Blaise who sprinted away.
Blaise chuckled. „Why are you bringing it here if it’s not for my pretty eyes to see?“ He halted in the kitchen that was attached to his living room.
Draco huffed when he stopped before him. „Because I need to sort through this mess, before I can start the real work.“
„Maybe, and just maybe, you do that in your own apartment.“ Blaise tapped the file against Draco’s triceps. „Oh, wait. You don’t have one.“
Draco sighed and folded his arms in front of his chest. „I’m sorry mate. I’m looking, I swear.“
„What about moving back into the mansion?“ Blaise raised a brow and Draco snatched the file back, before he headed to the couch again.
He slumped down and threw the file on top of the stack which rested on the coffee table.
„I hate it there. It’s lifeless and dusty, since the house elves were freed by the ministry. Bad enough that I need to return there when you have someone coming over.“ He ruffled his hair.
„Listen, D“, Blaise took a seat next to him. „It’s great to have you here, but we agreed that this is a temporary arrangement.“
„I know, thanks for letting me crash on your couch.“
Blaise patted his shoulder and came to his feet. „But really, having your own space will be cathartic. And you can have women over, too. You look like you need it.“ He nodded in his direction and Draco massaged his temples.
„I understand, I’m underfucked.“
„Yes, at least one thing we can agree on. What’s with Granger?“
He looked up too suddenly. „What’s with her?“
Blaise rolled his eyes. „Don’t play the fool. If it’s because of the house rivalry between Gryffindors and Slytherins, let me tell you there are many options for role play.“
Draco snorted. „I’m not hate fucking anyone.“
„Your loss.“ Blaise turned on his heel. „Let’s go.“ He clapped his hands together.
„Where?“
„The Pub. Ginny invited me to come to this meeting.“
„A meeting?“
„Aka drinking“, Blaise clarified.
„Yeah, but why?“
Blaise let out an exhausted breath. „To get sloshed? Do I really have to explain to you why someone is drinking?“
„No, but why would I come with you, meeting your … whatever you are? It’s not a one night stand, because you visited each other three times this week.“ Draco counted his fingers.
„Three times you know of.“ Blaise smirked.
„You animals.“
Blaise laughed. „We don’t label it. So, are you coming? Granger might come.“, he tried to navigate the conversation in a different direction.
Draco stood up too fast to show that this information did not affect him. „She will attend the … meeting?“
Blaise smiled almost friendly. „Yes, my friend. Your crush will be there. Are you sure you’re ready to lose your virginity?“ He had crossed the distance and had put both hands on Draco’s shoulders, which he swotted away.
„Get fucked.“
„I hope so.“ Blaise laughed and pushed him to the door.
„Wait, I need to shower first, change clothes-“
Blaise sighed. „I’ll grant you twenty minutes.“
„Twenty minutes? That’s diabolical.“
„One, two, three, clock is ticking“, Blaise said, raising his arm to tap on his watch.
„You’re responsible for my looks.“ Draco pointed at him with one finger, while moving backwards to the bathroom.
„Okay, Narcis“ Blaise slumped on the couch and grabbed a folder.
„And take your hands off my work!“ Draco yelled before he locked the door.
Blaise laughed. „Caught me. Already thirty seconds.“
Draco slammed the door.
When they arrived at the pub his hair wasn’t styled. Zabini had dragged him out of the flat and he couldn’t put gel in it, so the longer strands fell to the sides of his face. But to be honest, he liked the look. He caught a glimpse of himself in a store window they passed, and it complimented the all black attire he wore. Shoes, trousers, shirt, jacket and coat.
Blaise opened the door to the pub and the noises from the inside drifted to the street, just like the warm smell of a manageable crowd and alcohol.
People were smoking in front of the building, and he avoided walking through a cloud of smoke.
„Ladies first“, Blaise said with an outstretched arm pointing inside.
Draco went first and scanned the room. It was loud and confusing, the sparse lighting with the dark interior made it hard to look for familiar faces.
Blaise had followed him and looked over his shoulder, when they spotted a redhead that waved from her seat at a table in a corner.
His friend nudged him forward and they arrived at the table.
„Good to see you folks.“ Blaise said and held up his hand.
„You can sit here“, Ginny replied eagerly and moved to make space for him at the round bench.
„Thank you, my dear.“ Blaise was already flirting and Draco let his gaze wander. Granger sat awkwardly next to Ginny. Pansy and Neville occupied the other half of the bank, entwined in each other. When did that happen?
„You guys are also here?“, he heard himself ask, while getting rid of his coat, which he hung over the back of the last chair, before he took a seat.
Gosh, either the chair was tiny or the table low, he bumped into it every time he moved.
„Yes, It’s good to go under people, I heard“, stated Pansy lamely while combing through Nevilles hair. He looked like a dog, which was petted; happy and content.
Draco spotted Granger watching him from his periphery. „Granger“, he acknowledged her.
„Malfoy“, she nodded.
„Sorry for being late, our princess couldn’t decide on what to wear.“
Draco wished to kick Blaise under the table, but chances were high to hit one of the women, so he let it be.
„What are we drinking?“ Blaise asked, taking a sip from Ginny’s glass.
„Dirty martinis, but we could order shots“, Ginny explained.
„I like dirty“, Blaise tipped Ginny’s chin in his direction.
Malfoy rolled his eyes. „Please, for the love of every Hogwarts head, take a room.“
„I’m planning on it“, Blaise said absently stroking Ginny’s cheek.
Granger squirmed uncomfortably in her seat next to them.
„Guys, please, not in front of the children“, Draco tried to make a joke that went under the noise of the pub.
„No shots, please. I can’t take the headache that comes afterwards“, Granger rubbed her forehead, as if she already was at that point.
„Don’t be a coward, golden girl. Show us some Gryffindor courage“, Pansy teased while interlacing her fingers with Nevilles.
What was he missing? Why did every Slytherin had a Gryffindor at their side … besides of him and Granger. He stared directly at her and she blushed.
„Okay, I don’t want to ruin the party“, Granger yielded.
„That’s the spirit!“ Ginny hopped on her seat.
„Perfect, I’ll be right back. Draco, lend me a hand.“ Blaise stood up and they both went to the bar and each balanced a tray of shots over to their table.
„That’s too much!“ Granger squeaked.
„We’re playing a game. If you win, you don’t have to drink that much.“ Draco soothed her.
She looked up while he took a sip of the drink he had ordered for himself. He reached into his jacket and brought out his wand.
She gasped when she saw it. „Malfoy –
„Everything is fine.“ He made a flicking motion and the shots glimmered pink for a second. Draco let his wand slide back in his inner pocket and took a seat. No one could have noticed what happened, except the people in front of him which were wizards themselves, but his back made sure no outsiders were involved.
He put his drink down. „I’ll explain it to all of you, the rules are easy.“
„Is this a game you played in your common room?“ Ginny asked.
„Yes, the Slytherin house had the best parties.“ Pansy raised her chin, but Ginny just shrugged with her shoulders.
„Everyone takes a shot of their choice. I hexed them. If you take one that tastes different than Tequila, you’re out.“
„So Bertie Botts Beans with shots?“ Granger raised an eyebrow.
He smirked. „The golden girl got it.“
She blew a loose curl out of her face and grabbed one. „I’m first.“
Pansy leaned forward, letting go off Neville for the first time of the evening. „Yes, Granger, that’s what I wanna see.“
Draco chuckled.
Granger made a face while gulping down her drink. „It’s Tequila.“
Ginny laughed. „You sound disappointed.“
„You forgot the lime and salt.“ Her tongue rolled out and Draco felt a twitch between his legs.
Not the best moment, buddy, he reminded himself and sat straighter just to knock his knee at the table, which directed his attention to the game before him.
Pansy was next and was safe, too. „Gross, I love it.“
Neville was next and he grimaced. „That tasted like grass.“
Everyone laughed. Granger looked a little bit jealous. Draco knew she didn’t want to get drunk.
Ginny and Blaise both pulled alcohol and Draco did, too.
Granger was next and he pitied her. She’s already had a drink before they arrived and it was obvious that she didn’t feel as comfortable as the rest of them which was fine.
He tapped her ankle carefully with his foot and she looked up. Draco pointed with his chin to the shot right before her and she blinked one time and took it. With one swift motion the drink was gone.
Everyone looked at her expectantly and she wiped her hand over her mouth. „That tasted like orange juice.“
Pansy sighed, Ginny patted Granger’s shoulder and Blaise tilted his head in Draco’s direction.
He just smiled.
When Pansy took her shot, Granger looked up at him and mouthed a „Thank you“.
It warmed his insides. Her gesture or the alcohol, he couldn’t tell. But everything felt a little bit nicer and calmer, though nothing had changed.
The game came to an end. Pansy had lost and was so drunk, that Neville apologized and took her home. Ginny and Blaise had a few shots and were tipsy, laughing and talking loudly to each other.
Draco took his chance to get rid of his seat and sat next to Granger who looked like she wanted to go home, too.
He wanted her to stay just a little bit longer.
His inhibition threshold was lower and he felt confident talking to her. That’s why he sipped at his drink and pointed his finger at the bar. „You know, this guy is looking over every other minute.“
Granger followed his gaze and wiped her hand across the table surface to get rid of crumbs. „Yes, I know. He asked for my number before you guys showed up.“
His brows furrowed. „Number?“
„Here.“ She reached for her purse under the table and touched his leg unintentionally, which send a spark along his thigh and his crotch. She pulled out a little black device, he had seen it a few times before but was unsure of the usage.
„It’s called a mobile phone. You can write short messages or telephone with someone who isn’t near.“
He eyed the thing suspiciously. „Why don’t you send an owl?“
She rolled her eyes. „Because they are a nuisance. This is practical.“ She held it between them for him to take it and he took it to inspect it. When he touched the smooth surface it lit up. Startled, he dropped it.
„Careful!“ Granger scolded.
„Sorry.“ Heat rose in his neck.
She picked it up from the table and stowed it back in her purse.
„For someone who is familiar with magic, you clearly overreacted.“
„I’m not used to many muggle things“, he said shyly. Draco hoped it wouldn’t spark a discussion of his former pureblood tendencies, but she faced him.
„I know, that’s why it’s so important for the wizarding folk to learn about this in case there is another threat to peace.“
He couldn’t follow and she read it off his facial expression.
„Ugh.“ She got closer and her body heat lingered between them.
„For example: There is an unforeseen event, so wizards are forced to live in the muggle world. They would be overwhelmed. The resources to muggle-knowledge should be provided by the ministry.“
Draco understood and realized something important: „That’s your work, right?“
She blushed. „Yeah.“ Granger averted her gaze and toyed with a coaster. „When Harry, Ron and I were on horcrux hunt there was a lot of time to talk about things, though we didn’t speak much. We were all familiar with muggle things. Harry because of his foster parents, Ron because of his dad’s work and me being a muggle. So most of the time I talked about experiences I made with my parents or things none of them knew.“
„What kind of things?“ Draco was enthralled by her openness and wanted her to keep speaking.
„Going on vacation, using public transportation, professions.“
„And you think it’s important for wizards to know?“
„I know it’s well to be prepared. You are never sorry for too much knowledge.“
He stilled. Wise words.
Draco nodded. „You’re right. By the way, I’m sorry I didn’t visit you sooner.“
She looked up, slightly confused.
„At work“, he cleared.
„Ah, no worries“, she swotted her hand in the air.
„I was so caught up in overlooking the work that’s already been done, that I didn’t have any time to seek you out.”
„Never mind, I understand. I’m always late, too.“
They both smiled tentatively.
Draco raised his head and saw the guy at the bar watching them. „I think he’s not amused that I’m sitting next to you.“
Granger followed his gaze and the guy stood up to leave the pub.
„I’m sorry, I hope he didn’t come to false conclusions.“
Granger breathed out.
„It’s okay. I told him I am single, so if he wanted me to give him a chase, he’s not the one anyway.“ She took a sip from his drink to play down that it embarrassed her to talk about her private life.
„We don’t need to talk about your dating life“, he stated.
„Really? How gracious of you.“
He pursed his lips. „I didn’t mean to –
„I know, I know. It’s …“, she searched for words, „complicated.“
He rested his head on his hand. „I’m expert in complicated actually.“
Granger chuckled.
„I don’t know if I’m ready for something serious anyway. I’m looking for a casual distraction, you know?“ She didn’t dare look him in the eyes.
Oh, he knew.
„I’ve had casual distractions in the last years. My mom wishes for something serious.“ He opened up, so she didn’t feel alone in that regard.
He gulped down the rest of his drink, where her lips had touched the glass and he imagined that it still tasted like her.
„Oh“, was all Granger said and he saw how she slid back to Ginny.
This wasn’t some kind of invitation, was it?
Hermione Granger looking for some casual distraction?
There was nothing wrong with it. It was just impossible that it happened between them.
Unpleasant silence lingered between them, and he was suddenly heavenly aware of the lovey-dovey eyes Ginny and Blaise exchanged.
Granger didn’t seem happy either.
„I think I’ll head home“, she said loud enough and her friend averted her attention from the man who was playing with her hair to the young woman beside her.
„So soon?“
„Neville and Pansy already left, you two are in your own sphere. What am I supposed to do?“ She sounded bitter and Draco couldn’t hold it against her. They were third wheeling the whole night.
She probably wanted to have a nice evening out and had to realize that he didn’t just occupy her workplace, but also her free time. In addition to that he ruined her chances of a date or a casual distraction with a man. Well, a mediocre looking man. Not that he paid attention, but it was clear that the guy was out of her league. Draco did her a favor, like the selfless hero he was.
„I could escort you“, he offered.
A DeJa’Vu flickered over her face and she bit her lip. She sighed. „Fine.“
This time she didn’t need much time to decide which relieved him.
They took their belongings, said their goodbyes and headed out of the pub. Silently they walked to an alley and Hermione reached automatically for his arm to apparate.
It was over too fast to savor the contact.
She took her hand to herself and went ahead. Draco followed her in the night. It was like the first time he had accompanied her. They halted before the gate to her house.
„Someone should take care of the grass“, he said, looking over the front garden.
„Yeah, why don’t you mow it for me?“ She huffed and opened the gate.
He faced her back when the words tumbled out of him. „I could.“
She turned around. „Have you ever done that before?“
He scratched his chin. „No, but you could show me. Add it to the „some of the things wizards should know“, just in case.“ Draco raised a brow and smiled.
Granger looked like she considered it, but she shook her head. „I’m not going to let you mow my lawn.“
„Why not?“ He took a step forward behind the gate. Now he stood in her front garden. It felt intimate. The space was smaller than it looked and the distance to her wasn’t that big. The air was thinner here, was it?
Granger looked from the gate to him. „That’s a line we shouldn’t cross“, she finally said after passing seconds and it felt like a slap in the face.
„We are colleagues. You don’t have to do garden work, it’s my home.“
„I know, it’s just …“, he searched for an answer on the floor. „Listen, I’m trying to gain a foothold. I just returned from France; I still need to find an apartment before Blaise kicks me from his couch and I –“
„Wait, you don’t live at the manor?“ She interrupted.
„No“. He looked her directly in the eyes.
So many emotions were showing behind her eyes: wonder, hurt, interest.
„I could help you with that.“
His forehead creased.
„The landlord who rents this house has a few buildings. I could reach out and ask her if she has free space.“
Draco was perplexed. Why would she do that?
„That … that would be great.“
She straightened. „Let’s make a deal. I’ll help you find a space to live and you can help me with my garden.“
He grinned. „Sounds fair.“
She raised a hand and he shook it. Her skin was still warm from staying in the pub.
„Then it’s a promise.“
„I insist that you will hold me accountable.“
Granger smiled. „Same.“
And that was the first promise between them in a row of many more that would follow.
~
„I’m fucked“, Hermione declared.
„Me, too.“ Ginny held out her arm above her eyes to shield off the light.
„Gin, I’m being serious.“ Hermione leaped her slipper at her friend who lounged at her couch which missed the woman and touched Crookshanks tail. The cat hopped off the furniture and ran away.
„I’m sorry, Crooks“, Hermione yelled after him.
Ginny sat up and looked at Hermione. „Okay, speak up.“
„How is your head?“
„I can’t blame anyone but me.“
Hermione had called Ginny for an emergency meeting after she waited two hours after she rose in the morning, which was ten o’clock, because she couldn’t sleep. She heard noises coming from a male who mumbled something, and she felt bad to ring her friend out of bed with her lover. But she was on edge and needed an ear to listen.
„I’m now responsible for finding a flat for Malfoy to live in.“
Ginny was wide awake now. „What?“
Hermione hid her face in her hands. „I told you, it’s bad.“
„How did you to go from „we would like to fuck each other“ to you playing real estate agent for him?“
„We made a deal.“
Ginny tilted her head. „What is he supposed to do? I swear to Godric if not some of you is going to get an orgasm, I’m going to scream.“
„Not everything is about sex, Gin!“
Ginny stood up. „So what is it about then?“ She placed her hands on her hips.
„He agreed to mow my lawn“, she said meekly.
Her friend’s eyes widened. „You are kidding me?“
„No, it just happened.“
„One night stands „just happen“. I wouldn’t be less disappointed if you claimed that you were intimate which your former school bully.“
Hermione groaned and put her head back. „I know.“
„Okay, let’s see what we can do here. Why did you do it?“
„He offered it and I didn’t want our professional relationship get intimidated.“
„That makes perfect sense. Because now you are playing home finder? Wanna be a homemaker next?“ Ginny crossed her arms under her chest.
„Don’t give me the look. This has nothing to do with Ron.“
„I never said it did, maybe that’s what you make out of it. Do you feel guilty, because you think about Malfoy in that way?“
Hermione felt a stab in her chest. „That is not the case, let’s stay with the facts.“
„Which are?“
Hermione sighed and slumped down the couch. „I don’t know. Everything seems twisted now. I thought it was a good idea then. What should I do?“
Ginny waited and sat next to her.
She placed her head on her friend’s shoulder.
„You want to split work and private life, but if you were firm about your boundaries you should avoid him entirely.“
„He is Blaise’s best friend. That is not possible. And we work together“, Hermione added.
Ginny tipped her pointer finger against her chin. „It seems there is only one solution.“
Hermione raised her head a few centimeters off Ginny’s shoulder.
„You have to do it.“
She came to this conclusion herself, but didn’t want to admit it.
Hermione took a deep breath. „I’m doing it!“
Ginny turned toward her, so she had to straighten.
„That’s my girl. You don’t fear a challenge, the challenge fears you!“
Her self-confidence rose. „You’re right!“
„I know.“
Hermione stood up. „I am Hermione Jean Granger and I will not let my feelings get in the way of standing to my word and my professionalism.“
Ginny followed her and patted her shoulder. „See, case closed.“ She yawned. „I’m going back to bed now.“ Her friend went for the cold fireplace.
„Next time, please don’t call before 12 o’clock. Thanks love, bye.“ She was gone before Hermione could intervene.
Next time?
Why did her best friend think there would be a next time? This was a one time mistake. Because as she had already stated: She was Hermione J. Granger. And she didn’t make mistakes.