The Art of War

“Rewards for good service should not be deferred a single day."
Sun Tzu, The Art of War

Hermione slept soundly and stayed pressed in close to Draco the entire night. The presence of actually helping her to feel secure. She wasn't alone. No one and nothing could sneak up on her in her sleep, and it did help the unpleasant dreams seem less real. She wasn't by herself being tortured like she had been seven years ago. Amos Diggory wasn't trying to kill her. Harry wasn't screaming at her that she was a traitor. All of it was just dreams. And with that thought, it flicked to something else like always.

While she wasn't having a dreamless sleep, she also wasn't stuck in a constant parade of those nightmares. There were snippets of dreams involving Malfoy that had nothing to do with the fighting they had done for the last seven years and everything to do with his hands on her body, which helped her stay close to him.

Sometime in the night, she had rolled over onto her stomach, her head was resting on his shoulder, one arm wrapped around him, and one leg hitched up over the side of one of his legs. She continued to sleep soundly, using him as a living body pillow.

He'd been able to feel how her body was changing here at the manor. Her curves were fuller and softer than they had been in years. Her hair was far more full of life. Her cheeks weren't gaunt, and the angles of her face weren't as harsh. And while she slept, her expression was smoothed out and peaceful.

Draco merely adjusted to her movements through the night, easily shifting to her needs. There were no dreams to keep him up, his mind receding into its depths, its only tether to the living realm wrapped between his arms, and yet, she was ensnaring him. The way her leg draped over him provided him with the intimacy of a heat he was blissfully unaware of.

No one spent the night in his bed. It just didn't happen. Not Pansy, definitely not one of the witches at the club, and yet, she had. Twice now.

Her scent filled his lungs, smothered them with foggy mist in the depths of dark woods, along with a hint of parchment. Though struggling to keep the haze of rest, his lips stained kisses along her neck, his hips rolling against hers. Fact and fiction blurred as his morning stiffness found her, brushing against that heat that beckoned it forward.

In his mind, they were tangled, her lips meeting his with need as reality had kisses crushing against her mouth like waves.

The kisses he smeared along her neck had her shiver, her breath hitching in her sleep as he moved, pressing in to roll his hips against her. It had her starting to stir towards wakefulness. The hard press of his body to hers had her reacting, warming further as he pulled her in.

Once his mouth met hers, she sighed into the kiss before responding in kind. The hunger of his kisses had shivers rolling down her spine. She could smell the clean citrus and cedar wood scent from his shower on his skin, taste his lips on hers as her lips parted.

Breaking the kiss as she woke up more, she slowly blinked, a bit of a flush in her cheeks as her fingers brushed through his locks, and a single thought crossed her mind: fuck it. If she was doing this, might as well enjoy the perk of their sexual chemistry. She kissed him this time and pulled him closer.

It was a moment longer before his steely gaze met her chocolate hues. A shift of his hips pulling a groan from his throat as he met a lace barrier.

His lips parted to speak but only managed to brush hers instead. Where she had made his heart race under the blade of her knife and at the tip of her wand, this was a far better dose of adrenaline. Reaching between them, he raked the silk up to expose the matching number hindering him.

A soft gasp hitched her breath as he pressed closer. He was completely nude. She'd forgotten. As he parted his lips, she nipped at his bottom lip lightly, desire sparking in her own chocolate eyes, chasing away the sleepiness that had been there.

With just a moment's hesitation, she pulled her nightgown over her head and tossed it aside, so all he had was that lace between their bodies as blush bloomed across her cheeks. There hadn't been time to think the last time, and the first time had been a terribly misguided attempt at completing her job. This was different.

Her discarded nightgown hit his floor like a white flag. The sheer abandon to his will not helping his resolve in the slightest. Not that he had any.

“My chambers are ill-equipped for this,” he tried to rationalize. Women didn’t come to his chambers. It was unbecoming, yet he wanted to possess her on its every surface.

Despite the warning, he tugged that lace, let it bite and pull until a side finally yielded with a tear. He had no desire to part from her muscular thighs or the softness of her rear that happily offered his palm a sizeable feel. More so than their last encounter.

Raising a brow at him, she nipped a little harder at his bottom lip, tugging it gently. "Did just fine the last time," she purred against his lips. If he made her question this, she'd pull away. She was going to be his wife in a few weeks. Sharing a bed or using his chambers for sex was not something she was going to shy from.

Ignoring the sound of that tear of the fabric, letting him peal it from her body, one hand traced slowly down his chest as she started to shift as though she might pull away. "Unless you're saying you don't want to," she offered, though clearly knew that wasn't it. Just seeing what he would do.

Her voice was enough to haunt him, and when she began to retreat, his grip hardened. His. She was his, and she wasn’t going anywhere.

The other half of her undergarment was next to break, remaining discarded to the side. Pinning her down, he slowly began sheathing himself.

“I’m going to make a mess of you…” His promise was between a purr and a growl as he inched ever so slowly.

As his grip tightened on her, she gasped softly as he pinned her down, eyes widening a little, but desire burned through her.

Hermione gasped softly as he slowly started to fill her, her legs spreading further to make it a little easier for him. "Mmm, think so?"

He leaned in, licking up the side of her neck. Everything he did was slow and calculated. Teasing without fulfilling. He brushed all the right spots without giving anyone the proper amount of attention. He wanted her to want him even more than she did now. Wanted her to burn so bright with need for him that only he could quell the flames of desire.

Her answer was in every deliberately languorous touch, giving her enough to hope for more and meet bitter disappointment.

That slow lick up the side of her neck, the barest brush of kisses, the hint of his fingers along her hips, tracing her sides, getting close to cupping or teasing her breasts before drawing away had her gasp, the sound almost turning into a whine as she glared up at him in a bit of frustration as desire continued to build.

He still hadn't even filled her completely with the hard length of him either. All teasing and drawing this out. It had her groan softly and had her turn her head as he brushed a kiss to her jaw for her to claim his mouth with her own.

Nose brushing against hers, he held his lips just out of his reach. How many times had they played this little game? As much as he had reveled in the higher stakes, this would easily become his favorite.

Finally, he filled her, pausing as he adjusted to her heat. The slick tightness he would have to endure to truly make her writhe.

“Can’t have your sounds muffled for me,” he chided, leaning in to bite at the very tip of her nipple. Enough to give a sharp contrast to his soft touches but not to break skin. The harmed flesh was quickly sucked in, flicked, and teased before letting it go and meet the chill of the air around them.

Hermione arched, attempting to capture his lips with a frustrated whine. This new twist on the game was going to drive her mad. She could feel it in her bones. What he said the last time and the promise of the morning had her flush a bit more. What all could he actually do if he wanted?

A moan left her lips as he filled her completely, letting herself fall back to the bed rather than arching for his mouth, another louder moan leaving her lips as he bit her nipple only to tease it so thoroughly. "Like that much?" She countered, her voice breathy and a little strained as a shiver rolled through her.

That chill kept both of her nipples erect, as much from that as his teasing touches, while her face flushed hot.

That singular sound shot straight down his spine, ending in a shift of his length inside of her. There was no doubt she wouldn’t feel how much it affected him.

Not trusting his voice, he nodded, capturing her other nipple to repeat the process. It wouldn’t be a long game, not with him being inside of her. There was no way he was losing that ground. Instead, he had to make sure he built her up in a steady, leveled manner. Denying her until he could no longer do so.

The way her moans affected him started to make her grin. Before she could say anything else, his mouth was on her again. One hand carded through his hair as she moaned again, trying not to squirm.

Whatever game he was playing at with those slow and deliberate touches had her letting him take the lead. She was curious, and he was so good with that mouth of his that she wasn't about to get him to stop.

He felt the shift in her body, the resignation that settled in her arching limbs and unhindered responses. In reward, he began taking his time to pull out of her, stopping halfway to fill her again, aiming to graze a specific spot inside her as he did.

That slow withdrawal had her tremble, but as he thrust back inside of her without pulling out completely, she almost made a remark. Until he hit that spot inside of her and had her moan, her hips arching into that contact. "Oh," she gasped, one hand gripping the sheets again.

Draco repeated the motion, keeping his motions smooth and steady. Listening to every sound intently as they crescendoed beautifully.

Sweat filmed on the back of his neck and along his hairline at the effort. Working to build her, only to slam into her past that sweet spot before she could fall apart. He wore a wicked smile as he paused to brush her hair behind her ear. Following its silk down to smooth over her shoulder, seizing a breast firmly only to release it and continue his exploration.

Those continued strokes kept hitting that spot over and over again, having her head fall back against the pillows as her hand came down from his hair to smooth over his back. Slow and steady, building her up, so close to pitching over the edge, before he slammed into her. A groan of frustration that devolved into a whimper left her lips as she nipped at his jaw.

"Wicked thing," she accused on a bit of a whimper, her breath almost hitching in anticipation for what he might do next before that gentle exploration started again.

“Am I a thing?” He demanded with a perked brow. The look in his gaze promised retribution for being so rude when he so kindly built her up.

Hermione had to bite back a curse but shook her head. "No...but you are wicked," she almost whined the words but did press a few kisses down his neck. An apology after a fashion.

“Very.” The word was followed by him pulling out of her, reaching for his wand to bind her hands together and pin them to the headboard. “Now I’m going to have to punish you,” he warned, smoothing over her body. He wouldn’t leave any marks where they could be seen, but he would mark her.

His breath taunted her skin as he pondered where to leave the first one. “You’re mine,” was his only caution before nipping into her breast, this time nearly breaking skin. Rather than lick it, he continued his descent, stripping the sheets from them as he repeated the bite at her pelvis.

She almost cursed as he drew out of her, feeling all of that build-up, all of that tension slowly getting further and further away. Though, as he bound her hands together and to the headboard, her eyes widened just a bit. "Punish me?" Her voice pitched up slightly with a bit of concern, even as his breath fanned over her skin, making her breath almost hitch.

The possessive statement almost got an argument. But didn't she wear one of his family's rings on her finger? That nip had her gasp, squirming at how hard he bit this time, her cheeks more flushed as he continued further down her body and bit her again. She tugged lightly at her wrists and tried not to swear or make any other smart remarks at the moment.

“Mhmmm,” he let the sound rumble against her inner thigh. “If you’re a good witch, I’ll make you see stars,” he promised, licking up her slit. “You can be good for me, can’t you?” He asked, timing her response by pressing her clit between his teeth. Just enough to spark fear before sucking it firmly in an assault of pleasure that toed the line of pain.

Eventually, she wouldn't be shocked at how he felt or what he could do with that devilish tongue. That slow lick had her gasp, the sound turning into a quiet moan as she tugged at her wrists slightly. Before, the feeling of his teeth had her tense a little. As he sucked, she writhed with a louder moan that was almost a whimper as she nodded her head. "Yes....Yes, I can...." her voice was a little strained and breathless as she looked down her body at the blond between her legs.

He kept her stare as he taunted her with his tongue and teeth, slipping his lips around the swelling bud of nerve endings. All those delicious sounds encouraged him. For all the times she looked at him with lethal intent, his gaze on her was more primal—a silent vow to consume her very soul.

Hermione attempted to keep her hips from lifting, her breath hitching as another moan left her lips. She didn't hold back her sounds, knowing he hadn't wanted her to earlier, and he likely wouldn't now. He looked like he wanted to eat her alive. And if he was going to do it between her legs, he might actually manage. All of his attention to detail was being used to torment her in a completely different way.

Years of using his patience to extract exactly what he wanted from his marks were finding a whole new life. He knew every soft, tender spot in the human body. How to abuse them to break another’s will. Even his ability to invade the mind was the result of patience.

He imagined that tension in her shoulders was starting to kick in with how she struggled against it. He’d have to massage every kink out later. A woman could so easily lose focus, lose that plateau of pleasure. He’d lost his first build, so he made quick work of this one, pressing a light kiss to deny her those final bits of friction.

Lips glossed with her arousal; he licked her off them. “You taste absolutely divine,” he praised, tracing her with his index lazily. “All these years, and all these games…but I don’t think I’ve ever heard you beg…” His words lingered as he traced her entrance.

She was losing focus as he continued to drive her right back up. Forcing herself not to pull at her wrists, she was surprised at the sparks of desire that he inspired in her. Hermione had never enjoyed being trapped before. And yet, trapped under his mouth, there in his bed was another thing entirely.

Her hips started to arch into his mouth, legs almost closing on his head as she got closer, her breath hitching, before he just brushed a kiss to her clit rather than actually pushing her over the edge. Again. A whimper left her lips as she held back another curse, almost glaring as her body trembled. Twice. Twice now, he hadn't pushed her over the edge.

"So glad you enjoy how I taste," she breathed, unable to take her eyes off of him, trembling at that gentle stroke of his finger. "Haven't begged for anyone before," she admitted, though she could gather what he wanted. Letting out a slow breath, she softened her expression. "...Please..."

If this were a new sort of game, she wouldn't give in too easily. It wasn't how either of them worked.

Of course, she had never begged for anyone, which would make it all the more sweeter. Shifting to lay by her side, he kept one of her legs pinned with his, his head resting on her ribs just beneath her breast as he slipped a finger in her, pulling it out to swiftly add a second.

“I’ll need more convincing before I make those sweet brown eyes to see the back of your skull,” he teased, making that motion he knew she enjoyed.

Hot and slick. It could be too easy to get lost. To just accept a first attempt and be done with, but he knew they were both far too strong for that.

A game. This was a game just like any other they played, though the results were far more pleasurable than she would have expected they would be. Her breath hitched as he slowly slid that finger inside of her, though as soon as the second was added, her hips arched into his hand on a whimper.

It was just banter. Just banter that was more intimate than the last time they bantered. That curl of his fingers inside of her had another moan leave her lips, and she had to try not to squirm. Fuck.

A few moments passed as she took in a slow breath. "Please, Draco.....Please, don't stop." It was a start. If she gave in too quickly, she had a feeling he'd be bored or disappointed.

“Like this?” he crooned, rewarding her first attempts a little longer. “Is this how you want to come?” He demands, offering her a void of choices and refusing to narrow it down.

The continued curling of his fingers had another moan leaving her lips as he slowly built her up. The demanding question had her blush more deeply even as she tried to summon up an answer he might like a little more. "....What if...I want to come more than once for you?" The phrasing was everything she was certain. Stroke his ego, make a request, rinse, and repeat.

He kissed up her sternum, carefully working her not to allow that to happen. “Greedy,” he accused, but amusement was clear in his features. “You’ve been very naughty… one is quite the reward…” he reminded, brushing his thumb against her clit.

The kisses up her body had her shiver, her gaze meeting his as she stuck out her bottom lip into a pout, rolling her hips into his fingers. "Perhaps...but you did say you'd make up for being gone," she whined softly, gasping as his thumb brushed against her clit. Her cheeks flushed further, but she kept up that pout. "Please, please? At least two....once on your tongue...or your fingers....and then once on your cock."

He had been gone a long time. And she had been good. The roundness of her ass, the plumpness her breasts had gained. Women of all creeds would sacrifice just about anything to be able to take weight on in all the right places.

“And what’s in it for me?” He asked with dark mirth, voice like silk. “Perhaps I’ve been too generous…” He continued to give her clit a bit more friction, slowly unraveling her. He wondered how long it would take her to realize he was putting her on the flip side of their last encounter. How he’d nearly lost himself before filling her with climax.

That question would have made her grind her teeth otherwise, but he kept teasing her, kept pressing friction into her clit. It had her whimper, her head falling back. Looking up at him, her tongue slicked over her lips. "Hearing your witch come undone by your prowess...Getting to feel your witch come undone around you...."

Dear Merlin, she wanted more. The man was too patient. To sinfully good with those fingers. "I could let you tie me up in more ways later.....Please," she crooned the words, rolling her hips into his fingers and lightly tugging on her wrists again. "Please."

How delicious their future would be if she were so keen to be tied up. She knew he enjoyed what she was offering, especially when she called herself his witch.

Ever so slowly, he kissed down her front as though every deposit of lips was an argument he made in his mind. “What if I want my belt around your neck and my cock down your throat?”

He didn’t wait for her answer, replacing his fingers with his mouth. She’d taste his orgasm the same way he was about to taste hers.

The kisses down her body had her heartbeat kick back up, watching him with anticipation as she tried not to appear too eager. But she was rather certain her body was giving that away already. She hadn't expected him to ask a question like that, and it stalled out her answer before his mouth was on her.

Another moan left her lips, and she whimpered, keeping her legs spread open for his mouth, his tongue. Looking down her body at him, she blushed a brilliant shade of red, unsure what to say to that at all. Even if it sent more desire through her body in a wave.

Was she truly so depraved, or was it the situation itself? "Take care that any marks you leave...won't be seen....and I might attempt it." Not a yes, not a no.

Then so be it. He wouldn’t leave any evidence of it. Just one of many dirty secrets between them. It made him want that ring already, to start those binding vows. He’d braced himself for years of celibacy. This…this was far better.

“You’ll ask me nicely after dinner,” he parted from her core. After dinner with his parents, he knew there would be little room for patience or kindness. “Now beg me for your undoing,” he smirked, sucking her clit harder with a matching thrust of his fingers.

If she was to get nothing from this union other than some freedom and great sex, she was going to take what she could get. Even if it became depraved after a fashion, he hadn't harmed her. Though she'd likely feel some shame for this later.

Before she could offer any cheeky reply, she moaned and tried not to write on the bed as he sucked harder on her clit, his fingers delving in and out of her and hitting just the right spot each time. "Oh....please...please make come. Please...Feels so good...Draco, please." More eager begging now might save her from any more direct begging he might want before she took him down her throat.

The more she kept up that sweet song, the harder his tongue and fingers worked in tandem. The sound of his name on her lips made his length throb with the need to be lodged inside of her. This one would be quick, but he had every intention of making the second one endure.

The focus he paid to her was relentless as his tongue stayed on her clit, and his fingers thrust in and out and hit that spot again, and again, and again. Her release barreled into her, stealing her breath on a moan as her hips arched into his mouth as she clamped down on his fingers. Soft whimpers of pleasure left her as her legs tightened around his head a moment before letting go.

Deep in her thighs felt a lot like drowning. Knowing the very oxygen around was gone and taking a breath in any way. It was logical and absolutely terrifying. Removing his fingers, he delved into her with his tongue, lapping and sucking at everything she gave him. Worshipping every part of her core he could as she kept him there.

Hermione whimpered at the oversensitivity his talented tongue wrought and slowly eased her legs back open as she tried to catch her breath, her head falling back on the pillows. Looking up at her still-bound wrists, she tried to focus on that. Her voice was breathy, more than a little uneven as she spoke. "...You...are very talented with that tongue..."

He lazily kissed her more as she released him before finally pulling away. He didn’t rise to her praise just yet, shifting to crawl up her body in that predatory fashion. Leaning in, he kissed her, forcing his tongue to coat hers with a taste of his work. “You taste so sweet when you fall apart,” he breathed against her lips, his thumb smoothing her lower lip before claiming another heated kiss. There was more to a woman’s pleasure than what was between her thighs. In fact, even the hand gripping her arse barely brushed her entrance. Remaining still with the offer of possibilities and the unknown.

“You’ll have your chance to return the favor, darling,” he whispered in her ear. He held back a groan, envisioning her wide eyes, on the verge of tears taking him down her throat.

Seizing his thickened cock, he finally traced its glistening tip to her.

The way he crawled up her body had her heart kicking back up in her chest after it had just started to settle. Though as he kissed her and forced his tongue into her mouth, she gasped softly at the taste of her own release. She shivered at those words breathed against her lips, and her eyes widened as she blushed again before kissing him back. If his actions weren't enough, those damn words had sparks of desire pulsing back through her as well. Their sexual chemistry, at least, was amazing.

"Mmmm, but will you let me taste and enjoy you before you're down my throat?" She crooned right back, still breathless, as he stroked his tip against her core. She lightly tugged on the magical restraints but stilled, looking up into his eyes as she rolled her hips into him.

A naughty witch he’d called her that first night. Never in his darkest fantasies could he have imagined her with such a filthy tongue on her. “Mmm, you’d like that?” His question was punctuated with teasing. “I could coat that tongue of yours and watch you savor it…”

Just the thought was enough to make him ache. Her mouth was speaking dirty, but those rosy cheeks spoke lengths of innocence.

She shivered as he teased against her core again, making her roll her hips into him as she met his gaze. Her cheeks stayed flush, surprising herself with what she was doing. There was a small spark of shame, but she shoved it down. It didn't matter. After the last seven years, shame was not about to get in the way of her actually feeling something for once.

"A little foreplay is always nice...Unless you just really want to see me tear up," she countered, feeling that blush deepen though at the idea that he'd want her to savor the taste of him on her tongue.

“If you’re good, I’ll give you more than foreplay.” Even sated he would need more of her. Slowly, he began withdrawing as he made his next statement. “I wonder just how soaked your knickers will be, knowing how that mouth of yours can have so much power?” Waiting for her to start whatever reply she might have, he slammed into her firmly. The motion sent her toward her binds. He did miss her hands in his hair.

"I'll have to try and be good," she crooned the words, knowing she wouldn't want to be left wanting. Would he? Of course, he would, especially if she didn't listen. As he drew away, she half thought he was going to stop this here. That blush didn't budge at his words. "How do you-" her words were cut off by a loud moan as he slammed into her, making her writhe under him as she was pushed up the bed.

Something in him doubted she would ever stop being defiant, and Merlin, he hoped she wouldn't. This tension was something he had enjoyed under different circumstances, but now, now he wanted to bask in it.

"How do I what?" he asked, a dark amusement in his features as he slowly pulled back to repeat the cause of that decadent sound.

Of course, he was amused. It made her wish she could drag her nails down his back again. Leave marks like he left on her.

"How do you know using my mouth on you will make me wet?" It was almost a challenge, and said in a rush, so be couldn't cut off her words again unless he asked another question.

He paused, nearly out of her as she rushed those words in. Leaning forward with a cattish grin, he nipped her lower lip and sucked in. "The same way I get hard knowing how much pleasure I bring I you. Knowing I could end it any which way I desire," he punctuated the statement without a firmer thrust than the last.

Her breath hitched as he nipped her, the blush warming her cheeks, feeling like an admittance despite her words. This was the kind of thing that came straight out of books she and Luna read. And she couldn't counter as he slammed back into her, pushing her body up the bed again as she moaned. "Oh god...."

"I'll be your god," he promised, slamming into her to extract those wondrous sounds. Wanting more of them. No, he needed them as surely as his lungs needed oxygen.

Another moan left her as her hips arched into him, and she tried not to get shoved up the bed. She braced her bound wrists against the headboard, trying to take in all of that delicious friction.

Even bound and crying out for him, he knew who was truly at who’s mercy. He’d already let her taste a bit of pleasure, but he wanted the next one to be bigger. It had him kissing her lips, taking over every part of her he could.

Kissing him back had her whimper in pleasure against his lips, eagerly responding to his touch. The taste of him on her tongue was something she wanted more of. Her hips kept rocking to meet him as she drew her legs up, allowing him an even better angle.

If kissing her wasn't part of his attempt to stoke her fire to better consume it, he would have allowed those whimpers to ring through his chambers. Instead he possessed her, filling her as above so below. Commanding and demanding, gripping her body in all the right places with only one goal: to overwhelm her thoroughly.

She felt like he was consuming her alive. The intensity that he had pursued her in trying to kill her seemed to be applied in this moment as well, shifting focus. Trying to break her as utterly here as he might have during a fight. And she couldn't bring herself to care as she moaned into the kiss.

A knock sounded on the door, breaking through the haze of his possession of her. The glare she leveled at the door at that moment rivaled any glare she had ever given to the blond as she broke the kiss, panting raggedly.

"Not now!" She threatened, her voice carrying just enough to get through the door before she tried to claim Draco's lips back. She hadn't been done kissing him.

Draco would gouge Nott's eyes out if he saw any part of her, but she had had him retreat, and he wasn't about to lose that thread of pleasure he'd worked so hard to strip like a livewire.

Every motion against her body was a claim, a silent supplication for her to accept it deep in her bones. His lips claimed hers as if they hadn't been intruded on, as if the only world that existed was beneath him, inside him, fighting against his tongue.

Hermione barely heard the rapid retreat of footsteps and didn't care as that claiming kiss threatened to consume her again as he continued that brutal rhythm into her body. Her tongue tangled with his as she tugged lightly at her binds. She wanted her hands in his hair, wanted to claw his back, wanted to pull him closer.

Another whimper of a moan was consumed by the kiss, and she trembled, getting closer and closer to a second release at the intensity he gave her.

With every motion, he lost a piece of himself into her, sucking in those sounds he had wanted to hear across the walls of his chambers. When he'd asked her to marry him, he hadn't dreamed of this, hadn't even allowed himself a moment to think that he'd have her writhe so beautifully for him.

Pulling back to watch her, his breath was ragged, lips as bruised and plump as hers was. He wanted to watch her come undone. To feel every shockwave that would push her over the edge.

As he broke the kiss, her head fell back against the pillows as she tried to get deeper breaths, looking up at him with eyes that were hazy with desire, pleasure, and need. At least entering into this marriage would grant her this: sexual chemistry like she'd never experienced before. Her body felt so sensitive, her breaths ragged as she tried to get air, only to moan as he kept driving into her.

Her gaze met his, a louder whimper of a moan leaving her lips. "Please, please...." She just needed an extra little push to break her apart.

"You beg so well," he groaned, not stopping in his ragged motion, allowing a few more pleas before giving her that extra bit of friction to his assault.

That praise shouldn't make her tremble or send a wave of satisfaction through her, make her tighten around him some. A few more pleas left her lips before, and with that added friction, she was tipped over the edge. Her cry was nearly a scream of pleasure as she tightened around him, her gaze half-lidded as she watched him through her release.

His hand reached for her hair, pulling her head back to see all of it. That mixture of sheer pleasure and pain as he pushed through it. A growl escaped him as those tight inner walls of hers sucked him in deeper. It was hard to move, let alone think, when her body was milking him, demanding every last drop he had to give.

Every thrust made him spurt inside her, filling her in every way until he finally rested against her.

"Hopefully, I don't have to blind Nott," he purred, sucking on her breast. "Have you learned your lesson then?" he asked, balancing her nipple nipple between his teeth.

Hermione gasped as her head was pulled back, her lips parting as soft whimpers and moans shook her body from the aftershocks of the continued movement. It was near pain with the oversensitivity as he kept that brutal pace, her legs trembling.

As he stilled and sucked on her breast, she moaned, voice trembling as she watched him through hazed half-lidded eyes. "Shouldn't...shouldn't have to...I...think so...." she breathed.

She was supposed to have learned anything other than his prowess in bed through that?

"Think so?" he asked, scrapping over that pebble of flesh with his teeth. "Good thing I plan to remind your tongue its place later," he nipped at her lazily while feeling for his wand. Gently, he eased her off the headboard and released her wrists.

That scrape of teeth had her whimper as she nodded her head. "Be careful what I say...don't be rude..." she breathed, lowering her arms with a bit of a wince once they were freed. One hand smoothed down his back as her eyes fell closed, catching her breath.

Precious, she was absolutely precious. "Turn," he commanded her, gently prying himself from her to give her the liberty of motion to do as he asked.

That command almost had her tense. Was he about to spank her now, too? She wouldn't be shocked. He seemed to like getting reactions out of her. But she relented and did as he asked, rolling over onto her stomach.

Almost feeling her thoughts, he smoothed over that beautiful rear of hers. One day, but he had different kinks to work out of her. Instead, he let his warm palm follow alongside her spine, thumb digging a gentle trench between it and her shoulder. Soon, he shifted to sit on that plump rear of hers, keeping most of his weight off her as he worked all those muscles he'd forced to strain. He needed her presentable for pictures and another round with his parents.

A soft groan of satisfaction left her lips as she let herself relax further into the bed. "Oh...thank you," she breathed as he worked the tension out of her shoulders. This was divine. Would he do this anytime he strained her muscles? She could get used to this.

Those words were like sparks down his spine. If she continued making those sounds, he knew he wouldn't be able to hold back keeping her here longer and, with that, making Nott wait. Theo could wait. If it'd been urgent, his mark would have been searing by now.

"All that tension," he tsked gently. He bet she had years of it built up from their encounters. He doubted his own body could ever relax.

"Mmmm. Almost like I've been fighting seven years. With limited food and sleep. And unending stress," she murmured before another soft groan left her lips as he hit a particularly tender spot. Her eyes slowly fell closed as she exhaled with a sigh, letting him work without complaint. If she ever complained about a back rub, there was clearly something wrong with her.

This was in such stark opposition to what she was used to from him that she wasn't sure what to take from this. Did he do this with any witch he took to bed and tied up? Better not to ask.

He focused on that tenderness. Seven years of learning the ins and outs of the body, and this wasn’t an application he thought he’d be using any time soon. “Sounds like you had quite the opponent,” he purposely pressed down on a knot before easing it up.

She gasped as he pressed down on the knot. It had her tense before she made herself relax under him again. It was tempting to spite him and say no, but she gave a nod of her head. "Oh, I did. Constant stalemates and near misses for years and years. Pretty sure I infuriated my opponent each time I just barely slipped out of his grasp," she almost chuckled.

His hands never stopped working as he leaned forward to speak in her ear. “Which makes this all the more sweeter,” he found two more knots and made quick work of them to pull more of those sounds from her. “Have I told you how pornographic you sound?” He sucked in her lobe. “I used to revel in your huffs and growls of frustration…” he nipped towards the back of her neck. “But these,” he found another stiff part of her shoulder.

That shouldn't have surprised her. He had to revel in the fact that she fell into his bed and into his plans to sway her from her side of the war. Saving as many of her friends as she could was the perfect bait, as it showed her just how much her side wanted to use her. Another whimper of a groan left her lips as he kept working the knots out of her back. She blushed, gasping softly as he sucked at her ear. The nips made her shiver. "You haven't...til now..." Obsession. It had to be. It was better than contempt, though.

Just as quickly, he gave a final smoothing motion over her and pulled away. “We have vows to finish,” he gave her rear a squeeze on dismount. “And I’ve made a mess of you again.” He didn’t sound apologetic as he plucked his wand off the bed and turned the tap on from where he stood. He offered her a hand. She was lucky; even if he wanted to hog the water, the design of his shower was meant for two. Or he supposed more, but he had never been that greedy. Only once or twice as a power play.

A soft sigh left her lips. "We do...and I have a list to give you," she murmured, not surprised at that squeeze to her rear. She almost snorted before taking his hand and getting up off of the bed. Letting him lead the way to the shower. After her request to the elves, she wasn't surprised to see her hair potions in his shower. It would make this weekend easier. The engagement party dress should be at the Manor at some point that day as well. It had nerves slowly buzzing through her. "And we have to figure out what sort of tale we're spinning for the Prophet."

The list. She’d been busy in his absence. Good. At least, that would be one less thing to worry about. He stepped into the spray, noticing her potions alongside his. Perhaps she’d fit right in at the Manor after all.

“About how I whisked you away from cold showers and malnourishment, how very kind of me,” pulled her in closer, towering over her. “I see my mother wasted no time,” he tucked a curl behind her ear. Her entire head was a mess from their experience.

Stepping into the shower with him, letting him pull her in closer, she sighed at the hot water that ran over her body. "Mmmm. If that were your only motive, it would be almost sweet," she drawled, letting him tuck that curl behind her ear before she leaned back into the spray.

Smoothing one hand back over her hair, she watched him with a bit of a smile. "She didn't waste any at all. Took a potion before getting in your bed last night. Just in case the wine was dosed," she admitted with a shrug. "But she has a point. You and Y-" she paused and took in a slow breath. She had to drop that habit. If she didn't, it could get her killed. And likely him. "You and the Dark Lord want this to strike a blow. It has to be good. Truth in it, but more than that."

“You attempted to seduce me at the Club, and I just couldn’t stop chasing you until you were mine.” He whispered in her ear. “That’s when you began helping me, leaving me presents, giving me all the information I needed through various communication devices, even going so far as to deliver Oliver Wood to me until I extracted you. We’ve been deeply committed since,” he nipped along her jaw, providing a story that didn’t stray from the truth.

A shiver rolled down her spine at his voice in her ear. "Is that what did it then?" She breathed, looking up at him as she flushed a little. But she couldn't argue the logic. If it sounded like she had been helping him for weeks it would be more believable. It would confirm what Amos said and there would be many that still didn't believe it, but it would work. Sounded plausible, at least. Odder things had happened.

“You feel nice and tight, but it’s not what changed my mind about you,” he traced down her sternum. He doubted she’d believe him even if he explained himself, so he didn’t. “Perhaps someday…” he leaned in but pulled away as soon as he had his potion in hand to start his rituals. If he didn’t, he’d take her against that wall. “I doubt you’ll have much to commit to memory,” he shrugged, lathering his hair. And He wouldn’t question it.

As he traced down her sternum, her breath hitched slightly, and she hated just how strongly she reacted to him. It would make it all easier, though. Make the photos easier to sell with them having great physical chemistry. As he started with his potions, she raised a brow as she reached for her own and started on her own with a soft sigh. The warmth was still so enjoyable. "Perhaps. I suppose I'll have to stay curious until then." It did fascinate her and confound her. But their story would be covered well enough. No one could poke holes in it that actually mattered to the hierarchy of either group.

He doubted there was a single instance where Hermione Granger didn’t live to sate that curiosity of hers. It was how he’d manipulated her and how he likely would continue to. Even now, every move was calculated. Certainly not everything went according to plan, but so long as the end result stayed the same, he didn’t care.

Hair potion traded for his soap, he stepped out of the spray to lather. He needed the cooler air to nip at his flesh. Just watching her fingers through her hair was an image he’d be revisiting.

“You going to share that list?” He demanded. Business. He had to stick with business, not that he cared if it meant Theo waited like a good dog in his study.

As she worked the first potion out of her hair, she grabbed the next that would keep her hair from frizzing, starting to work that through her hair. She needed to find a way to keep some sort of upper hand, so she still had a bit of power in this dynamic. Stepping into his world was going to set her back, further than she'd been set back in her own. As irritating as that was.

"Any of the Weasleys. Luna Lovegood, Neville Longbottom, Hannah Abbott, Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnigan," she listed, knowing that last name was likely going to be axed if they knew how high-ranking Seamus had gotten. If they didn't? Might still be able to swing it. "Angelina and Katie. I'd say Susan Bones....but she'd sooner drink that potion," she murmured with a bit of a grimace. Not that she could blame the woman. And she knew she couldn't name Harry. Even if she wished she could. She couldn't name Ginny specifically, either. There was no telling if the Weasleys would even accept the help after what was about to happen.

Draco listened. "The Weasleys breed like garden gnomes; they're a list to themselves, even with some of them missing." He had to hold back a scoff, stepping back into the spray. "Finnigan would sooner explode than follow survival instincts," he reminded. He had warned her he wasn't a miracle worker. "I'll see what I can do, dearest," he forced a smile. He had known it wouldn't be easy going in. Especially with that bleeding heart of hers.

Hermione had to try not to laugh as she rinsed off her hair and then started washing her body, taking her time. Those marks he had left had her bruising rather easily, making it obvious what they had been up to. Clearly, she still had to work on the nutrition. She bruised far too easily. "If we can manage Luna, Neville, and Hannah....I'll be content," she said with a forced charming smile. Cutting it down that much seemed at least more likely. As she continued to wash, she chuckled. "Luna shouldn't be difficult."

Much more manageable, he thought as he rinsed the last off of himself. He could do three without raising suspicion, especially when one of them was already under his roof. And then she added that sentence, and he eyed her. Blaise. Some days, he knew he should have killed him on the spot for his treachery, but if he'd learned anything, it was, why go for the kill when you could go for the pain?

That look had her give a shrug. "I went looking for Blaise. Found them...Makes me wonder how much of what I said to my friend came back here...Doesn't matter now," she sighed as she started to rinse off, leaning into the spray with a sigh, enjoying the way that the water ran over her body. The warmth was a creature comfort she had missed. Meeting his gaze, though, she focused on him.

"It's not because she's tied to Zabini's bed that her fate is so easily averted. Every time she gets sent back, it's a punishment for Blaise," he met her gaze. "A reminder that what's been given can easily be taken away." There was a reason he had aimed for her the way he had. If it was public and final, there was little the Dark Lord himself could do about it. "It will take time to smooth over their years of betrayal." There was more bite to his words than he wanted there to be, but that anger was the only thing that had saved him from his master's wrath.

"Understandably so...But she may be able to leak information to make it easier for us to get Diggory and Wood. Not soon enough for me to be able to have her with me for our nuptials...but I can be patient," she drawled with a shrug of her shoulders. Just as she told the pair before, she wouldn't push. She knew better. She let on how badly she wanted something, and it could be used against her. Like her damn cat.

A higher-up against her freedom. It was limited, but it could work. "Patience is the key," he drew closer, smoothing her side gently. "Strike too soon," he seized her throat and pushed her back against the wall, giving either side a squeeze. It wasn't as hot as the shower, but not as cold as it could have been. "And it can all fall apart. If you want Luna's life in our vows, then so be it," he grazed her lips. "But it will take time."

Patience was the key. Though as the last of the suds were rinsed from her body, she started to lean into that touch before he seized her throat and pushed her back against the wall. It hitched her breath, eyes a little wider as she looked at him. Her body shouldn't react to him for just doing that. She nipped at his bottom lip, keeping his gaze all the while. "I can be patient....I'll be busy enough with research, among other things, after all...."

Learning about their properties, having to show up to galas and dinners. Keeping an eye out for ways to subtly get the others to safety. "Are there any other vows my husband-to-be wants?"

"Yes," he squeezed at her throat. "I want a locator. I want to know where you are," he retaliated against her lip. He couldn't have the other side trying to steal her away. "So I can always find you," he let the words linger between them. It would work both ways, but it didn't matter. It's not like she'll be able to end him if she wanted to.

That squeeze had her shiver, and she looked up at him. "Can't have anyone try to torture anything out of me," she provided, not thinking it was anything more than that. He liked how she sounded and wanted her. But they'd want to make sure that the other didn't fall into enemy hands. "Locator, the list, communication, secrecy, silence, no murder, no harming the other, duties, honesty, the wards, sharing magic, trying for an heir, and fidelity..." she trailed one hand down his chest slowly by the tips of her nails. "Am I missing anything?"

Fidelity. He never thought in his lifetime he'd even consider such a thing, and yet her lips wrapping around the word almost felt like foreplay. "Til death do us part," he claimed her lips. None of this should have given him a visceral reaction. There would be family duties and financial things added, but most of it was contractual, no different than what muggle marriages did. Otherwise, it seemed like they had everything.

The words in a Muggle ceremony would just be a promise. Wizarding ceremonies seemed to take it much more seriously. No divorce. No getting out of it unless one of them died from circumstances neither of them orchestrated. Kissing him back, her hand trailed back up his chest so her arm could loop around his neck. Best not to focus on that for now.

How easily she responded to him, and he reveled in it. It wasn’t long before his fingers were finding the apex of her thighs to see just how well she was responding.

Her fingers found their way up against the back of his hair, nails lightly dragging over the back of his neck as they kissed. As his hand traveled down between her legs, she shivered, getting wetter the longer they kissed. And the longer that one hand rested around her throat.

He eased up on her throat. There’d be lots of choking for dessert, and now he knew she didn’t dislike it. Kissing her more firmly, he seized her thighs where they met her ass and pulled her up to have her off the ground so he could pin her. “Guide me,” he encouraged her to seize him, to align them so he could bury himself inside her.

A gasp left her lips as he lifted her up, but her legs hitched around his waist loosely as he pinned her to the wall of the shower. The man was insatiable. Perhaps it was because both of them had seen what the other was capable of, but it was...freeing to be able to just...feel something. One hand trailed down his chest, guiding his hard length back against her core without hesitation as she nipped at his bottom lip.

He nipped back, smarting the plump flesh only to suck it in. He hoped she never lost that fire. One he rewarded with a firm thrust, stretching her until there was nowhere else to go.

Her breath hitched as he sucked in her bottom lip only to thrust into her firmly again. Another moan left her lips, and her nails lightly dragged across his shoulders. Glad she could touch him again.

He arched into her nails, welcoming their teasing. “Mmm, my very own lioness,” he managed between meetings of lips, falling into a playful pace. Every rise and fall of her against his length was enhanced by her weight and the suppleness of her arse in his palms. He shifted to part those cheeks. More so out of power, needing her to know he could claim every single part of her even if he didn’t. His fingers were so close yet never moving from where they held her in such an exposing manner.

As he arched into her nails, she dragged them down his back a bit harder. "Best get used to scratches," she managed to tease between meetings of lips. Her hips arched to meet his thrusts as he kept her pinned to the wall. Though, as he shifted to part those cheeks, her nails dug in, and her eyes narrowed on him. She nipped at his jaw a bit more sharply, a warning to not even try it. But she didn't have any further retribution when he didn't try to push it further.

Though he didn’t say so, he silently vowed to wear every mark she left him. A testament to their union. That gaze made him snicker, responding with an innocent one in turn. He wouldn’t push anything she didn’t want, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t push her limits every step of the way. Using his grip on her rear, he forced her hips to roll against his, offering her a bit more friction. “Promise?” He nipped the sensitive skin beneath her ear. “Might even trust you with more than your nails in bed after we’re wed…”

That innocent look almost made her roll her eyes before he rolled her hips into his, a moan leaving her lips as she clutched his body, eagerly grinding into him. "Promise," she gasped as he nipped there. "And what might you trust me with?" She asked before trailing kisses along his jaw and then nipping at his ear as she rolled her hips into that next thrust.

“You’ll have to marry me to find out,” he grinned sinfully. Somehow, he had a feeling they’d never lack fire in that department. If their attempted murder of the other was indication enough, their respective creativity and depravity were limitless.

"Pretty sure I already agreed to that, Malfoy," she crooned against his jaw before starting to nibble down his neck as her nails trailed back up his back, promising to drag right back down again.

“You did,” he nipped at her. “You practicing your new name on that naughty tongue of yours?” He taunted her. Once she had his last name, it wouldn’t ring quite the same to maintain that formality. That distance she shielded herself in wouldn’t exist.

She shivered at that nip and nipped a bit harder at his neck, almost hard enough to leave a mark. "You just want to hear me say your name." She taunted right back, pressing her lips to his ear as she moaned. "Draco."

The way she moaned his name made him thrust harder. A lifetime of that, something that both scared and enthralled him. “Oh, Hermione,” he groaned against her lips, licking up her cheek. “Of course I do. We’re supposed to be deeply in love.” The choice of words was punctuated with a firmer thrust, pulling her down to leave as little room between them as possible.

The harder thrusts pulled a louder moan from her lips right into his ear before she he groaned her name. It made her tighten around him, her nails digging into his shoulders a little, even as he licked up her cheek. She arched into him as he thrust harder into her again. "Fuck," she gasped, unable to hold back any sound if she wanted to.

His ears rang with pleasure, hers to be exact. Those louder moans made him repeat that motion again. He enjoyed the lack of restraint as she cursed the air. If it wasn’t for their growing list of duties, he might have considered stretching things out. Instead, he abandoned himself in her, barreling dangerously close to his end. She took a potion, and though he might question another witch, he didn’t question her.

As he repeated those harder thrusts, keeping that pace, her breath hitched as she clawed at his back, holding closer to him as more moans left her lips. Her rolling hips and the angle were building her up as quickly as he had been. It helped that he'd already tipped her over the edge twice. At least she wouldn't lack for satisfaction, so she focused on those touches, his thrusts as she claimed his lips in another heated kiss to muffle her moans a little more.

Those beautiful sounds, the feeling of her plump lips, Draco struggled for control. His tongue fought for domination as he maintained that pace until he was coming again. It didn’t matter that his length was more sensitive because of his last; he pushed through. Following those strong clenches with forceful thrusts that brought him pain and pleasure equally.

Hermione tried to take control of the kiss but ultimately let him lead it as he maintained that pace. As he thrust through his climax, though, it triggered her own, and she moaned into the kiss, letting him consume that sound as she arched into him. Her nails dug back into his shoulders as she trembled. She'd have to clean back up again, but that was a small price to pay.

A couple more thrusts, and he finally set her down. The action almost reluctant. He knew it was dangerous. Taking her, claiming her. Feeling that sting down his back, panting as he met her gaze, he knew he’d need those vows sooner than later. Still, he merely eyed her with fire before cleaning himself off again.

Leaning back against the wall, she watched him with a bit of heat still in her own gaze as she caught her breath. Once he was done cleaning up, she got herself cleaned up again as a soft sigh of contentment left her lips. At least she knew she'd be in a better mood today. "Suppose we shouldn't leave Nott waiting too much longer."

“Don’t tempt me to make him sit there all day,” he eyed her. “Need to start locking the doors,” he grumbled more to himself. Apparently, his lack of bringing women to his chambers meant his inner circle had become comfortable bursting in at any time of day. “I don’t think I have to explain to you that fidelity vows or not. Anyone that even tries to touch you will be dead,” he warned. It wouldn’t be quick, either. An example would have to be made. Just like if Nott saw her, he’d gladly remove his eyes as tribute.

"I'm sure you'll be able to keep everyone out for a few days and keep me to yourself a few days once we're wed. If that's something you want," she drawled, looking him over before stepping out of the shower and grabbing a towel. Without her wand, she'd had to resort to old habits and have to towel-dry her hair. It took so much more effort. Though the idea that he'd kill anyone that tried to touch her? It had her look at him in the mirror with a hint of a smile. "So possessive. Does that include a handshake or just anyone that tries to get too....familiar with me?"

“I won’t deny you a honeymoon and all it implies,” he offered. When she said she could keep people away from his chambers, he didn’t doubt her. The brunette was resourceful, if anything. Shutting off the shower, he grabbed a warm towel and patted himself dry. His closet was thankfully adjoined.

“Depends on the handshake,” he threw with a devilish smile. “I can’t allow another to covet what is mine.” He entered his closet and began sliding on some pants before finding an outfit. Opting for blacks pulling on blue.

She towel-dried her hair carefully, brushing through the locks, and wrapped a towel around her body as she stepped into his closet. Her clothes were put to the side by the elf yesterday. She pulled on a matching set of black knickers and a bra before pulling on a black skirt and an off-the-shoulder blue blouse that looked like it wrapped around her body to hold it in place. Perfect.

"You going to hex any man that looks at me with lustful intent then?" She asked over her shoulder as she put the towel aside once she was dressed, stepping into a pair of short black heels.

Draco finished buttoning up his shirt, trying to forget the sight of her undergarments in a nearby mirror. “Depends.” His tone kept light as he neared her. “You’re free to retaliate against any witch who tries to gain my favor,” he drawled. “Though if you do, I’d very much like to watch…” he brushed her cheek. Just as quickly, he pulled away, tucking his wand and pausing. Facing her, he sighed and gave a quick drying charm on her hair. “Start writing down the vows while I handle Nott,” he demanded before marching through the room.

Hermione glanced up at him as he brushed her cheek, and she chuckled slightly. "I just might. Depends on what they do," she drawled with a slight shrug. Though as he dried her hair for her, she gave a slight nod of thank you before she left his rooms with him and went to the study to grab parchment and a quill, a bit more of a spring in her step now.

Theodore awkwardly sat on a settee, staring at a wall as he waited for Draco to emerge. He had expected to wait, but even by his standards, two hours and some change had been excessive.

“Well, go on,” Draco demanded.

“We’re ready for Operation Ainar,” he stood, standing a little straighter.

“I better make it back for dinner,” he gritted. “Have them ready by half three,” he added. It was cutting it close but fuck it. His mom could delay things.

"Morning, Nott," she said simply as she started to write the vows out on the paper, though she glanced over at them, raising a brow as she glanced between them both. "Operation Ainar?"

Draco gave her a look in warning not to press before eying Nott again. “Oh, Theo, before you head out, there’s just one more thing,” he added.

Theo looked to Draco. “Yeah?”

The blond’s wand was out faster than his friend could react. Anger and pain forced through bring Nott to his knees. And then screaming filled the large room as the blond writhed.

Hermione looked right back at Draco with a raised brow. She was about to press before Draco drew his wand.

It wasn’t often that he used this sort of pain on his own, but the last thing he needed was anyone feeling overly comforted by the presence of a witch in the Manor.

The sounds of the screams sent a chill down her spine, and she watched for a brief moment before she kept writing the vows even as her stomach knotted. Best not to forget where she was and what this was for. Even if he was good in bed...both of them were different kinds of monsters.

While the man screamed, she wrote out the vows on the parchment in her flowing script. Even with years of being out of school, her handwriting remained neat and impeccable. Perhaps for the best with what role she was meant to fill now.

Once he felt the lesson sunk in, he lifted the curse and gave Nott a moment to catch his breath.

“There will be no more barging into my quarters. I’d hate to have to feed one of you your eyes for glimpsing what is mine.” His words were hissed, every last one dripping with intent.

“It won’t happen again.” Theodore’s voice remained oddly calm. Like he knew it could have been worse, or rather because it had been. “I’ll get them ready.” He bowed and bid both of them farewell before taking his leave.

A chill went down her spine at the idea of him being cruel enough to feed someone their eyes, but the cruelty inside of the new regime was bound to be even worse than she had anticipated. She would be protected by the fear that he inspired in his men. She'd have to remember that.

Steadying himself, he made his way to her side. They’d have to talk about asking questions in front of his men. If he wanted her to know something, she would know. And no one needed to know what she was and wasn’t privy to.

“I have to prepare some things, but I think I know how to keep you entertained,” he smirked, keeping close to her back without touching her. “Pull my sleeve back, dearest,” he whispered, presenting her with his arm while his wand remained poised in his other hand. He couldn’t quite let her forget what type of monster he was. Especially in the weeks to come.

"I do hope you'll make it back for dinner. I'm sure your father has missed you," she murmured without adding in that she did not want to be left alone with Lucius Malfoy. Though at the order of what to do with that sleeve, her shoulders tensed all over again.

Refraining from shuddering, if only from sheer force of will, she drew back his sleeve, making sure it was as far up as it needed to be while she looked over the parchment.

He kissed the side of her neck, reading over her shoulder approvingly. He didn’t rush her; he just studied every movement she made. The tension. He’d have to desensitize her to it until she stopped seeing monsters that couldn’t touch her. Not so long as he remained standing.

“Do you know what burns more than any torture we’ve put each other through?” He asked gently, tilting his wand towards his exposed arm. “Getting one of these. And the second biggest bitch?” He paused emphatically. “Being summoned.”

"I didn't begin to think that they were pleasant, darling," she returned, her voice quiet for his ears only, even if they were the only two in the room. She could see his arm, that tattoo that reminded her of her own scars that would never fade, never be healed in a way that would obscure them from view. It had her wrap that arm loosely around her own body to conceal the marks.

Very few had the ability to summon others, and usually, it was limited to men directly beneath them. With the Dark Lord leading from a distance and so rarely on the battlefield, he’d chosen Draco as his eyes and ears, sometimes even his iron fist. “I think you should have brunch with your friend,” he gave her an olive branch through the darkness he offered. The tip of his wand pressed into the twisted black ink writhing under his flesh. Even using it came with a pain that seared his flesh and tensed his jaw. She likely felt his body struggle against her back as his nostrils flared.

Moments later, there was a crack of apparition and Zabini kneeling on the floor behind him in near prostration. Only because Draco allowed it, using their binds to speed the process. It wasn’t unlike the vows on his desk to an extent.

That light kiss to her neck kept her from tensing too much, focusing on that feeling of his lips on her skin. The vows were written, and she knew that sooner rather than later, they would be put into effect. The one that had her eyes linger over it was til death do them part. There was no turning back from this. Not with their inability to harm each other, even through a third party, once this was done.

She did perk up a little bit at that olive branch, glancing over her shoulder at him with a slightly warmer smile for a moment. "Thank you." Brunch with Luna would do her some good. And would allow her to finish up those vows around someone she trusted much more than she felt she would ever trust Draco and his friends. Even if Zabini was close to her friend.

The way his body struggled had her want to ask about the pain it caused him, but she kept her mouth firmly shut this time. She saw Zabini appear behind Draco, since she was glancing over her shoulder, and she glanced back at the parchment. She'd have to get used to that.

“You can thank me later,” he purred, not bothering to turn to greet Blaise. He doted on her a moment longer before nearing him.

“Don’t bother getting up,” he demanded. “Deliver Lovegood to my dining area. You and I can find Nott. We have a busy day, and I’d rather know your pet was contained,” he concluded.

Blaise remained on his knee, head low. Still, his nod was unmistakable. There was the slightest bit of sweat on his brow. “As you will,” he vowed in a silk baritone.

“Dismissed.”

The single word came with another inclination of his head and a flurry of robes that sent him walking through the entire manor. Being summoned allowed some leeway in the wards, trying as it was, but the return always felt like a walk of shame.

The kisses along her neck had a shiver roll down her spine, and she gave a simple nod of her head, not saying a word. He had asked he the other night if she had thought him a monster; after seeing him stressed as he was, she might have considered there was more lurking beneath the surface. Now, she wasn't so sure. And this was who she was binding herself to to save her own skin.

If the betrayal stung him that badly that he treated Zabini so coldly, and Nott as well, she could only imagine what the Death Eaters that had tried to touch her had actually suffered. If any of them were even still alive.

Hermione spared a glance to the door and then let out a slow breath as she wrote out something along the lines of one vow to give her the marriage presents he promised. To hide the list in plain sight that way.

Nott and Zabini mostly knew their place, but like with any changes, he sometimes had to remind them. If she found him unforgiving, then she couldn’t imagine the destruction his household would know if his master thought for a moment he’d lost control.

She was quiet. He knew he might as well have doused her in ice water and tried to drown her. Until those vows were exchanged, he needed her on her guard. Beyond that, he couldn’t let his father try to run back to the Dark Lord to try and pry his position as head of household away.

“I hope the company will be a suitable replacement for my own. You can send me the vows when you’re done, and I’ll have them sent over to get those initial vows in.” His voice is silk despite how dry his throat felt. Time wasn’t on their side, and this next operation could be the last. It could all fall apart before it began.

Hermione gave a slight nod of her head. "I'm sure I'll manage with Lovegood," she stated simply with a faint smile. "Before the end of brunch, the vows will be sent to you so this can be taken care of." She stated, feeling a little shocked at him pressing a kiss to her temple and then leaving as swiftly as they entered the study.

She took the parchment and the quill, grabbing a few more sheets so she could better write everything down. Wording would be careful and she wasn't sure how she was going to deal with all of this. How had Luna dealt with it all, and why did her friend see it as worth it? Zabini must treat her like a damn princess.

Leaving the study for the small dining room, her stomach was in knots. She wanted to get one or two things out of this manor, and Luna was the best way to do that. Coded words and simple statements. Nothing to tell them what was going on and nothing to say that this was coercion. Just a simple, she was fine and better than she thought.

This was going to be a nightmare. And the morning had started so promising.