Chapter 3
When they got back to the castle, there were barely any words spoken between Hermione and Malfoy. McGonagall had given them both a strict talking-to about going into abandoned places and leaving students behind. Hermione had opened her mouth to respond but it was silenced with a hand and a bone-chilling glare. Malfoy said nothing the entire time, he just stared ahead with a blank expression.
When the scolding was done, he stood up, bowed his head, apologized, and left. The door clicked behind him, leaving Hermione extremely confused and almost angry. Where was the ‘thank you’ for saving their lives? Was he going to explain what he meant before? Did they just go back to normal now? Knowing Malfoy, they might never talk about it again.
Walking back to her quarters, Hermione reached the small bathroom and stared at her expression in the mirror. Her hair was a dark grey color and her robes were most likely ruined. Her whole body felt exhausted.
Checking the time, Hermione realized it was well past dinner and the students were most likely in bed. That did mean…an idea clicked in her head.
Glancing around the corner, Hermione checked for anybody walking. The fifth floor was very quiet. Stepping forward, Hermione pulled her belongings tighter and reached the statue of Boris. The old man gazed down at her, a singular brow raising.
“Buttercream pie,” Hermione whispered. Without another word, he nodded and the statue moved, allowing her access. She prayed no one was here.
Stepping deeper into the bathroom, she was met with the extensive bathtub, the various faucets at the center ready to be used. Magically enough, it was already filled. A nice and relaxing bath is just what she needed. Alone time to refresh and not think about a certain blond professor.
Setting up her things at the edge of the tub, Hermione slowly began to undress. Wrapping a towel around herself, she stepped to the edge of the tub. When she poked her toe in, she was met with the perfect temperature. The water smelled of lavender which matched her shampoo and body wash. Stepping in, she eased into the water, the warmth immediately relaxing her muscles. Hermione closed her eyes and sunk deeper into the water.
“Granger?” A deep voice interrupted her thoughts. She knew that voice.
Eyes snapping open, she gazed up to see Malfoy standing at the edge of the tub…wearing little to no clothes. Her eyes drifted from his bewildered expression to his chest (that was bare and lean) to his boxers which were a slytherin green color with what looked like-
“Are those tiny snakes on your boxers?” Hermione teased, smirking.
Malfoy cleared his throat and crossed his arms, extenuating his biceps. “Perhaps,” He murmured.
“What are you doing in here?” He questioned, glaring at her.
“Relaxing. Clearly a short lived dream.” Hermione went to the ledge where she had placed her things, ready to get out and go back to her dorm. So much for a night to herself.
Malfoy took a step back, his eyes widening. “Wait, are you naked?”
“No, I take baths CLOTHED!” Hermione reached for her towel, noticing that he turned around as she wrapped it around her damp body.
“I’m covered now, pureblood prince,” Hermione bent down to pick up her clothes, holding them tight to her chest. She padded across the floor before a voice stopped her.
“Granger, wait.”
He sounded pained. The tone made her turn around. He was standing at the edge where she had gotten out, his arms no longer uncrossed.
“It’s unfair of you to leave. I’m sure we can be civil,” His voice was softer. Hermione took a pause before nodding. She supposed after today, they could do this. Setting down her clothes, she eyed him.
Nodding, he turned back around, letting her undress and get back in. Turning her back, she heard him step into the water. Hermione refused to turn around, already feeling the heat from her cheeks at the intimate nature of this activity. She had never bathed with someone, let alone Malfoy.
Wading further out into the tub, Hermione rubbed the water over her body, relishing in the dust that was coming off of her skin. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Draco dunk his body into the water, coming back up before he wiped his wet hair off his forehead.
Turning back to the task, Hermione grabbed her soap and began lathering it over her arms. Was she supposed to talk to him? To ask him what he meant? Make small talk about work?
Her hand moved the suds over to her shoulder before she reached between her shoulder blades. If she could only wipe-
“Allow me,” Malfoy whispered behind her. The hairs on her arm rose and Hermione froze. He was so close to her now–when had he moved closer?!
Saying nothing, Hermione felt his body shift behind her as he reached for her soap. There was a pause before she felt his hands on her shoulders, rubbing in the soap. Immediately, she relaxed into the touch. His hands were soft yet firm against her spine, his fingers long.
“Somehow the dust got under your clothes,” Malfoy commented, releasing a small chuckle. It made Hermione smile.
“Add it to the list of crazy things that happened today,” She responded, feeling his hands move down her spine before up again towards her neck. It was very relaxing and she felt her eyes closing to his soothing touch.
Draco was telling himself to not pass out. He offered to help on his own accord. It was the least he could do in thanks for her saving their lives.
Scooping up some water, he washed off the soap. He was familiar with the scent, it had inhabited his brain for the past 5 months. Lavender when they passed each other in the halls, lavender when she was screaming in his face and her body was so close to his. He didn’t mean to pick it for the bath when he came in a short time before she did. His body seemed to move on its own sometimes.
Reaching the last of his rinse, he stared at the back of her head, taking in the high bun she had fashioned. Tendrils were falling down, itching to be put back.
“Need any more help?” He whispered, not wanting to break the spell. Please say she needed some help.
He watched as she turned around. Soap was covering everything but he couldn’t help but stare. Merlin, was she beautiful.
Her brown eyes stared up at him, sparkling in the light. “I think I’m all clean.” Draco’s heart skipped a beat.
“Mind if I borrow your soap?” He teased with a grin. The corner of her mouth lifted before she nodded.
Reaching across to the edge, he took the bottle, ready to squeeze it into his palms. Before he could, Hermione grabbed the bottle, squeezing it into her own. His cock twitched. He thanked the bubbles that were obscuring her view. She would no doubt hex him if she knew.
“Can I return the favor?” She proposed, raising an eyebrow. Draco nodded, turning around. She could do anything she wanted to him.
He held his breath before feeling her hands rub against his back. He thought he was skilled but boy, did her hands feel good. He closed his eyes, feeling her hands run up and down before going to his sides. When he felt water wash it away, he turned around.
Her eyes were staring at him, her mouth slightly ajar. Her hands were still raised, covered in lavender suds. Draco scanned her features, looking for something. He had to say something, right? She was no doubt ready to ask him about the Patronus comment. Hermione Granger always had questions.
“Thank you,” he blurted. He watched as her eyes widened more.
“You saved my life earlier. I forgot to thank you, so I apologize,” Draco dipped his head, feeling his cheeks grow warm. Rarely did he thank people for things. But her-well…
“Why does your Patronus match mine?”
His heart dropped into his stomach. He could lie, it would be easy. She would know.
“I think you know,” Draco offered a smile. His heart was racing.
Hermione’s eyes were still boring into him, searching for something. He had messed up, no doubt. She was quiet and rarely was she quiet. He should go, he should just leave while there is something to salvage. He turned but her hand on his arm stopped him.
Draco opened his mouth to apologize before she was launching herself at him, pressing her lips to his. It took him completely by surprise and he stood there, eyes wide.
Hermione didn’t back down, her hands touching his shoulders. Her entire body was pressed against his and Draco shook himself out of his shock.
Hands gripping her hips, he returned the kiss, feeling her melt into him. Merlin, she was a fantastic kisser. It wasn’t frantic, but passionate and slow. He tried to return as much of the feeling back as he could.
Hermione would pinch herself later to check if she was dreaming. Hours ago they were yelling at each other about respect and now they were snogging in the Prefect’s bathroom. Naked. She had expected a civil conversation where she would ask, he would admit he was lying, and they would move on with their lives.
Instead…well, he had confessed to having serious feelings for her. She had gotten her answer, that’s for sure. She didn’t know why but she had felt the strongest urge to kiss him when he said what he said. No one had ever done something like him. Hermione wondered how long this had been happening. What about all of his remarks about her teaching capabilities and intelligence? Was that all true? What about all of his dirty looks in the halls, his disregard for her?
“Get out of your head, Granger,” A deep voice murmured against her lips.
Hermione snapped back into her body, realizing that she had stopped kissing amidst her internal monologue. Whoops. As much as she wanted to continue, she couldn’t quite ignore all of the questions enough to launch herself back at him.
Pulling away, she stared up at Draco who was looking at her, the pupils of his eyes extremely dark. His face was passive, kind almost.
“I’m sorry,” Hermione swallows. Her hands were still on his shoulders. She could feel his hands on her waist. Heat coursed throughout her entire body. Suddenly his hands were dropping and he was stepping away.
Draco swallowed hard, his brow furrowing. “Right, I understand.”
This time Hermione frowned. Did he think she was apologizing for the kiss?
“No, no,” She reached forward before twisting her fingers together. “That’s not why I’m apologizing.”
His head snapped up and he stared at her blankly. Hermione flushed. Good lord, they really couldn’t communicate well. They would work on that.
“I meant sorry for getting lost in my own head.”
The corner of his mouth turned. “No need to apologize. I shouldn’t expect less from this situation,” he let out a dry chuckle.
“I mean you act like my very presence is an inconvenience to you most of the time. What else am I supposed to think?!” Hermione threw up her hands in emphasis.
Draco paled. “Please don’t do that.” His voice was raspy.
“Do what?”
“Raise your arms.” His eyes were no longer on her face but on what she had revealed.
Flushing, Hermione crossed her arms covering her chest. How juvenile.
“We are adults for Merlin’s sake,” She whispered.
Draco shook his head. “We cannot have a conversation about my feelings for you if you completely flash me.”
“My god, fine,” Hermione waded to the side of the tub. Without another word she climbed out and grabbed her towel. Wrapping it around herself, she turns towards him, placing her hands on her hips.
“Are you joining me?”
Draco’s cheeks were pink. He glanced around the tub. “I would, um, rather stay here for the minute.”
Hermione rolled her eyes. Sitting down, she let her legs drape over the side. How typical.
“Well?” She questioned when he didn’t say anything. Draco let out a sigh before he began speaking.
“I truly hated you in the beginning. I had felt so lost after the war, after my sentence. I thought by returning to Hogwarts, I would be able to rebuild what was destroyed.”
Hermione watches as Draco swallows before continuing.
And then I discovered that you would be teaching alongside me. The very witch who had saved the world and was a constant reminder of everything I had done wrong. All of my mistakes were your successes. I hated you. I truly hated you.”
Draco feels his stomach clench. He wasn’t used to being so honest about his feelings, let alone to Hermione Granger of all people. He forces himself to keep going.
“But you were everything and nothing I was expecting, Hermione. You are determined and intelligent and unwilling to back down from a fight. You even defended me against those parents during the family meetings”
He was right. There was a group of parents who had shouted at him in the middle of the hall when they saw who he really was. A Death Eater. Scum. Draco had felt so alone, so cornered, ashamed of his past. But, just as he was ready to open his mouth, Hermione Granger was striding down the hallway, her eyes set. She stood next to him, nearly yelling at the parents for their behavior. She told them he was a great professor and a great man. It was bizarre, to say the least.
When it was all over and the parents had left, Hermione had looked at him, nodded, and left without another word. Draco couldn’t look at her the same after that. He had been so mean to her but here she was, saying kind things about him.
“I began to question everything. I was so cruel to you because it was the only way of protecting you and myself against what I really felt. That I-I like you.” He feels his cheeks grow warm. That’s not even the extent of it but it’s a good start.
Hermione says nothing. He stares at her as she simply looks off into the distance. His heart begins to beat louder as he pictures all of the horrible things that will come out of her mouth. She’ll curse him, slap him, storm out.
Instead she says, “I hated you, too.” It’s barely audible, just above a whisper.
“I know.” Draco responds.
Her eyes turn back to him.
“I hated you for how you made me feel. But then,” She paused. “I saw how you were with the students. You were kind and understanding, nothing like the boy I had gone to school with.”
It was true. Draco made a pledge to himself on his first day that he would become the type of professor he wished he had. Someone who understood that being strong and being superior was not the ultimate goal in life.
“And now?” he finds himself asking.
The corners of her mouth turn up. “And now I’d quite like to kiss you again.”
Draco can’t help but smile. Slowly, he wades to the edge where she is. He touches her ankle, then her calf. There’s a pause as he feels the soft skin under his finger before she’s sliding back into the tub, towel long discarded now. Their bodies are now flushed against each other and Draco can smell the lavender, feel her warm skin against his chest. It makes his entire body heat up as if he was under a flame.
He smiles down at her. “I think I can make that happen.”
Grinning back at him, she pulls him down for another kiss. He doesn’t know what will happen between them but he supposes this is a great start.
In retrospect, going into an abandoned house with a former bully was a bad idea. But, Hermione supposes it can’t end THAT badly.