Seven

Hermione

“Ow! Merlin, Gin! I need to be able to breathe. Wanna loosen that buckle up a little bit?” I can see her reflection grinning at me in the mirror as she pulls the other side just as tight. Evil witch.

“Don’t worry, no one else is going to be able to breathe when they see you in this getup either!” She dances away when I swat at her and Susan chuckles from the corner where she’s curling Lav’s hair. Her green gown is gorgeous. Sparkly and daring and shows off every luscious curve. Her red hair is piled up in braids and curls and I know once Lavender gets her makeup finished she will evoke just the right emotions from the crowd. 

Envy.

Trust Blaise to choose to celebrate surviving the first quarter century of his life in the most ostentatious way possible. It took us weeks to figure out how in the world we were going to make a group costume for his fancy dress party. Because that was the requirement. Themes. One theme per group. And everyone in your group had to match your chosen theme. 

And our group keeps expanding. Ron wasn’t going to go to a ‘Slytherin party’ without Harry, even though we’ve been out of school for years and we see that crowd socially all the time. Then once there was a group of four of them, they couldn’t leave Neville and Susan out. Tonight is Friday night–and this party is cutting into the weekly dinner schedule the three couples have together. 

I wasn’t even going to go to the bloody thing. Always the odd one out, even though it bothers them more than it does me. I do just fine on my own, thank you very much. Just because most of the men in my life don’t last more than a few weeks doesn’t mean I’m lonely. They serve their purpose, scratch a particular itch. Usually. But when Ginny stumbled across a reference for the seven deadly sins, my fate was sealed. 

The witch in question is in the makeup chair, darkening the smokey makeup around her eyes. “Can you give me some scars and wounds, Mi? You’re better at glamours than I am.” She’s bouncing in her seat like a little kid getting their face painted at the fair and I choke back the bile that rises in my throat. I am better at glamours than any of them. I have to be. 

A few waves of my wand and she looks appropriately badass, if I do say so myself. Fearsome in her Wrath. Red and black leather swatches piece together to form tight trousers and a short jacket. She’s wearing a black bustier and boots that tie up over her knees. Thank Merlin for magic. There are so many buckles, snaps, and corset ties in this room right now we’d need a whole troop of ladies in wait to get us ready for this bloody party. 

It takes her and Susan both to get all the curlers out of Lav’s hair, even with magic. Her robes are a cross between a ballgown and a pageant queen. The patterns of peacock feathers gets less subtle down the voluminous skirts. They’re placing actual feathers in her hair, and she knows how beautiful she looks. And she is. Beautiful. A survivor. Even with her scars uncovered, she’s glowing with Pride. 

She’s the best with hair and makeup spells and I was ashamed how long it took me to acknowledge the power of that. It was something I didn’t understand–and therefore didn’t have time for–at school. The things that I thought made her shallow and frivolous were just different interests than mine. Standing here with her taming my curls, I’m so thankful I wised up and we got past that. She’s one of my best friends now, and when I reach back to grab her hand in mine she squeezes it and leans down to whisper in my ear. 

“Malfoy is going to jizz himself when he sees you in this.”

Scandalized, I try to turn and shush her, hissing her name. The other girls are laughing in the corner and didn’t hear us, and I don’t know why I’m bothered if they hear. It’s a running joke in the group that Malfoy has a secret crush on me.

I don’t know if I believe them. Lavender is the only one who knows I’d like it to be more than a crush. 

She’s right, though. When she spins me back to the mirror to finish smoothing the back of my curls I try to look over myself objectively. I may not have the same kind of luscious beauty that she and Susan possess or the sharp strength that Gin boasts from riding a broom for a living, but I’m not self-conscious about my looks anymore. 

The heels are tall and black, red bottoms shiny like a mirror. Combined with the fishnet stockings they make my legs look miles long. The pleats of the tiny leather skirt swish enough to show the curve of my arse in a parody of my Hogwarts uniform. Pansy is going to die for it. I may have to give it over to her after the party. 

The buckles of the harness cinch me corset-like and they’ve applied just the right amount of makeup to make me look mysterious and sexy. Shimmer on my chest makes my collarbones look sharp but draws the eye to tits that are just big enough to swell over the top of the leather. My eyes look big and golden and though I protested the vampy red lipstick, it does complete the outfit. 

“You look like sex on a stick.” I’m drawn from my musings to turn and laugh with Ginny. Her eyes widen as she looks me over, and I’m woman enough to admit that it boosts my confidence a little. 

I laugh and look at the clock. It’s almost time for the boys to meet us to head out. “That’s the whole point, right?” 

Lust.

We’re getting ready at Lav’s, since she had the best setup for this kind of craziness, so Ron doesn’t even bother with the doorbell and we hear them all come through the front door of her flat loud and boisterous. 

“Looks like maybe they started without us,” Susan laughs and Ginny–bless Ginny–produces four little shot glasses and her favorite elf made liquor with a flourish.

“Well then we better catch up! Liquid courage, ladies! Let’s go break some hearts” She’s giggling so hard that she barely gets the shot down. She’s pouring a second one when the boys finally make it down the hall to where we are. 

“You guys ready-” It’s Ron and he’s obviously had more than a couple shots. He’s living up to his Bacchus-style costume, toga draped enticingly and laurels askew on his red hair. Gluttony of all the vices, our Ron. His face is flushed and his grin is wide when he sees our costumes. “Wow! You all look… wow” 

“Always so good with the words, love” Lavender’s tone is fond and teasing and he blushes. They really are good together. I’m glad they figured it out after Hogwarts. 

He steps up to kiss her in greeting but stops when he sees me beside her. “Bloody hell, ‘Mione! Where’s the rest of your clothes? You are not-” Luckily almost fifteen years of friendship means that he’s finally learned to stop while he’s ahead. “I mean, you look like-”

Glancing nervously over at Lavender, whose giggling at his reaction makes me relax enough to just own the character, “Lust, Ronald. I look like someone you might desire. That’s the character. I’m meant to be sexy.” 

“Someone I- I mean-,” now he’s the one glancing nervously at Lav, who’s laughing so hard she’s got tears in her eyes. These poor men. “I don’t- I didn’t mean that I thought you were sexy. Just-” He’s sputtering and none of the girls around me are trying at all to put him out of his misery. 

Before I can even make an attempt, the other two pile into the doorway behind him. I’m a little jealous of Harry’s costume, if I’m being honest. He looks so comfortable in his ripped up joggers and t-shirt. Comfortable but sexy. He’s supposed to be slovenly–Sloth–but somehow he and Gin still managed to put together a costume that looks like he’s heading down a catwalk. 

He must have heard some of the conversation, because he whistles at us all when he comes into the room. I don’t even bother to hold my eyeroll. He’s so drunk. Harry only gets flirty like this when he’s drunk. Maybe he and Ron should have switched characters. 

The kiss he gives Ginny when he sees her is filthy and they really are hot together. I can feel my face heat up and Neville leans over to buss a kiss across my temple. “Maybe you’re just providing enough lust to fuel everyone’s fires tonight, Mi. Merlin, you look a fucking treat.” He’s not whispering, and laughs along with everyone else when I swat at him. 

The years since we left school have been good for Nev. Very good. He’s the tallest of our group, and his deep green dragonhide suit and crisp white shirt make him appear even bigger standing next to me. They’ve done something to his cape to make it appear like the lining is made of liquid gold and the matching tie clip, pin, and cufflinks make him look like he’s dripping with it. Greed personified. 

He looks amazing. And standing next to Susan, they are going to turn a lot of heads tonight. 

He laughs bashfully when I tell him so and then gives me a once over that makes my toes curl. “No one is going to be looking at any of us once you walk in.” 

Merlin.

“Malfoy is going to lose his fucking mind, ‘Mione”. Harry has apparently finally let Ginny go enough to join the conversation. 

This again? I roll my eyes at him and try to blow off their joking like I always do. Lav just winks at me from behind Ron’s shoulder. “Does anyone know what theme the snakes picked?” 

Luckily they’re all drunk enough to follow my change of subject and we make guesses all the way to the Floo. 

Damn straight, Malfoy is going to lose his mind tonight. He better, anyway. If this getup doesn’t get him to make a move, I’m giving up. 

Draco

What a stupid bloody idea. 

Fucking Blaise and his overdramatic arse. A theme party? Fancy dress? Merlin.

And of course he let Pans pick the theme for our group. Because they’re hosting and he wanted us all to have the best possible costumes. 

I handed over an awful lot of galleons to feel this naked.

I don’t know a lot about Muggle theology, but I feel pretty sure that their angels wore more clothes than this. 

“Salazar, Dray! Did you have to paint those trousers on?” She’s giggling but slides the door closed behind her when she sees the look on my face. 

The girls are dressed like demons, mostly because they felt like that was the sexier option. And they weren’t wrong. Astoria’s wrapped up in straps of shiny black leather like some kind of kinky mummy and her makeup makes her normally cheeky grin look wicked. The added black and red streaks in her hair draw attention up to where she’s wearing realistic looking horns. 

“You’re one to talk, Tori. Seriously? How are you supposed to get out of that getup?” She’s full on laughing at me now, but I don’t stop her when she goes to sort out my wings. 

Wings. Merlin.

“Don’t worry your pretty little head about it. Theo knows all the best spells for getting me out of my clothes. Unless you’re offering to join us?” She winks over her shoulder at me as I shudder and pretend to gag. Evil witch. “Wait til you see Pans and Tracey.” 

“I’m sure they look appropriately terrifying as always. Now help me into these monstrosities?” Even in those heels she has to reach up to get the harness across my shoulders. Her giggling stops abruptly when we turn to face the mirror together. 

Well. 

“Bloody fucking hell, Dray. Mi’s going to be eating out of your hand when she sees you in this.” I turn to shoot her a dirty look, because it’s never going to happen, but she’s not even looking at my face anymore. Her eyes are wide as she helps adjust and buckle the black leather straps across my chest. Apparently this is where all my galleons went because she’s right. They’re definitely something. I look like a warrior angel. 

Is that a thing?

The wings are black, but shine under the candlelight in the room. They’re large enough that even folded behind my back they rise over the top of my head and trail down past my knees. Pansy has obviously imbued some magic in them, or maybe she bought them that way, because they aren’t heavy at all and they move with me as I turn and lift my arms. 

The harness straps frame my chest and the scars that litter my torso look all the more menacing for it. The tattoo artist that I found to cover the fading remains of my Dark Mark did an excellent job and the dragon that sleeps on my forearm blinks lazily at me as I turn and flex the wings. 

Tori comes back over to the mirror with a pot of black makeup in her hand and before I can protest or try do it myself, she’s smudging it around my eyelids. 

Huh. A wicked angel. It’s not as bad as I expected. She laughs when I tell her so. 

“Not wicked. Fallen.” She’s tousling my hair, and I let her because there’s no point in trying to stop any of the girls at this point. “You look like a fallen angel. Gorgeous and tempting. What’s your favorite sin, Draco?” 

There’s something in the way she says it that makes me pause, but I can’t question her about it because the doors fly open and Theo, Blaise and Greg try to fit through with their wings all at once. 

Idiots.

All three men are dressed similarly to me. Tight dragonhide pants, leather harnesses holding on their wings. Their white wings. What?

“Why am I the only one with black wings?” Their wings are all smaller than mine, as well, I notice with a smirk. Not the point. “Pansy!” She drags Tracey through the door with her and now the gang’s all here I guess. 

Sigh.

“Yes, love? You look amazing. Like you were sent down here to tempt Eve herself.” She’s giving me a look that’s pure sex and I shiver–mostly in disgust. Pansy and I lasted through about one week of shags back in sixth year, and yeah… that was enough. Blaise can keep her, we’re better off as friends. 

“That’s what I said!” Tori is way too excited about this whole thing. She’s got Theo sitting on the edge of the bed, dodging his roaming hands while she tries to fix his wings. Tracey isn’t even trying to help Greg anymore. He’s got her pinned to the wall by the door and I can barely see her behind his frame, even larger than usual with the added wingspan. 

“Will everyone quit shagging for a minute and answer my question!” Immediately I regret the slip in my composure. Pansy and Theo both shoot me wicked grins, and Blaise eyes me smugly from where he’s taken my spot in front of the mirror. 

Merlin, I need new friends. 

“Why am I the only one with black wings?” I ask again. Pansy nudges Blaise out of the way and pulls me so we are facing the mirror. I finally take the chance to look at her costume and that- that is a lot of skin. What’s not showing is covered, cinched, and lifted by shiny red leather. Her thigh high boots make her almost as tall as me and she barely has to stretch to tousle my hair and feathers. 

“They suit you, love. You look dangerous. Mysterious. One hundred percent fuckable.” She winks at that and turns to ruffle her own hair, shifting the short curls around to frame the horns that complete her outfit. “Maybe they’ll finally give you the freedom you need to make a move”

“A move?!” I’m sputtering, betrayed, at the looks they all share. We have a tacit agreement to never talk about this. Why are they so determined all of a sudden? “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” 

“Don’t act like we don’t all know you’ve been pining after Granger since we left Hogwarts.” Bloody hell, if Greg has noticed it I definitely need to do a better job keeping it to myself. 

“I’m not pining.” Simultaneous snorts from around the room make me flush. This is so ridiculous, “Nothing is ever going to happen. I’m not going to make a fool of myself over some unrequited attraction.” Attraction, that’s all it is. No matter what these wankers think.

“Oh, honey. Don’t be embarrassed.” Tracey is usually the nicest of the group, but now she’s just being patronizing and she grins when I tell her so. “Don’t you want to at least know for sure if it’s unrequited? Because, Dray, sometimes the UST when you’re in a room together is so strong we all have to go home and-”

“Do NOT finish that sentence, Davis. I hate you all.” Gathering the last of my patience (and my wings) around me, I sweep out of the room to the sound of their laughter. 

Now I just have to find a place to hide and get drunk before this party starts. 

Hermione

The gardens of Blaise and Pansy’s manor are full of people by the time we all make it there, but I don’t see them anywhere. Pansy wouldn’t tell me what their costume theme was when we met for lunch last week, but I’m assuming their whole crew is in on it. 

I just wish I knew what to look for. It’s disconcerting to see all these people in fancy dress. They’re mostly familiar–our friend groups have practically melted together over the last five years. Once we were all out of school our paths just kept crossing. Theo and I worked together so often on shitty research projects for the Ministry that we decided to start our own consulting firm three years ago. When Lavender and Pansy started working for The Prophet’s fashion and society pages a few years ago, we all started having biweekly lunches in Diagon Alley. 

It just seemed natural to expand that to monthly get-togethers–sometimes at the Three Broomsticks so we can see Neville and Susan, sometimes we go out dancing in Muggle clubs so no one asks Harry for an autograph. Recently, as more of the group has coupled up, we’ve been doing more just hanging out at this or that flat. 

I wouldn’t give this friend group up for the world. But being the only single one is starting to get old. Everyone else is all so loved up they either look at me with pity or try to force every single guy they meet on me. Well, not everyone else. Malfoy hasn’t shown any interest in dating at all. 

Malfoy. That everyone thinks is secretly pining after me. 

Malfoy. That barely speaks to me when we’re all in the group, unless he has to. 

Malfoy. That hated me in school. No. That’s not fair. We’ve all changed since school. He’s proven that he’s not the same spoiled little git he was back then. 

Malfoy. That I really want to want me as much as I want him. 

Fuck. Okay, Hermione. Get it together. You can do this. You’re in character. Own. It. 

A flash of platinum hair catches my eye and I turn to look for it and run right into Pansy. Well, right into Pansy’s tits. Merlin and Morgana, how is she even more naked than I am?! “Oooh, Mi! You look absolutely delectable. Holy shit, Dray’s going to totally piss himself.” She’s laughing gleefully as she drags me over toward the bar. 

I’m trying to figure out her costume; then I see the horns. “Are you a demon, Pans? What exactly is the theme there?” She looks stunning. I’m not jealous. I’m not. It’s just… something about being surrounded by the whole group of gorgeous, happily committed friends makes me feel like an awkward third-year sometimes. 

At least it does until her answer is cut off by Theo’s choking and sputtering his drink. “Merlin fuck, Granger. Are you trying to kill us all?” And yeah, that’s better. 

“What a way to fucking go, though, am I right?” Pansy is wrapped around me now and she’s having some kind of psychic conversation with Blaise and no–I’ve told them multiple times I’m not interested. 

They do look bloody hot together, though. I see the theme with all six of them together. Angels and demons. The girls are barely covered–wrapped in black and red leather, makeup sultry and horns curling delicately dangerous on their heads. Theo, Blaise, and Greg are wearing giant sparkling white wings that would probably look a little more heavenly if they weren’t already half-pissed on firewhiskey and looking more than a little debauched. 

Tracey comes up to hug me and nods back at the couples standing around us. She’s the only other person here who grew up mostly in the Muggle world, so she tries to explain the idea of Seven Deadly Sins to the Slytherin men. “Who knew we would end up with such similar themes? I think it’s perfect!” She’s obviously enjoying the celebrations herself, she’s usually way more subtle than this. 

“So what exactly are you supposed to be then, Granger?” Greg looks confused by the whole idea, but that’s not stopping him from leering at me playfully. 

I look behind me and point along the line of my friends, who raise their drinks in toast as I point them out, “Sloth and Wrath,” Gin doesn’t miss the opportunity to bare her teeth menacingly and everyone laughs. Most of them have been on the wrong end of her bat-bogey hex at some point or another. “Gluttony and Pride,” Ronald throws his whiskey back like a shot as Lav just looks on fondly. Git. “Envy and Greed,” they both bow a little as I turn back to face the crowd. 

“And you?” 

I smile wickedly at him and toss my hair back over my shoulder, “Lust”

Okay, I’ll admit that maybe I like this power a little more than I let on. The whole circle of people around me looks like they want a taste. Except my plan for the night isn’t going to work if I can’t find my intended target. Where is Malfoy?

I debate whether to ask, but I’m cut off when Blaise and Pansy start laughing. I don’t have time to be offended because I hear the commotion behind me. 

Oh.

Oh, my.

His wings aren’t white like the rest of the group. They’re oily black in the setting sun. And huge. He looks like an avenging angel come to Earth to smite us all. He looks… Godric, he’s beautiful. 

And he’s staring at me like I’ve lost my mind. 

It’s more difficult than I expected to look away, but I don’t want to see his face if he’s going to react negatively to seeing so much of me. He makes a sound low in his throat when I look to the ground and then he’s right beside me. 

“Don’t”, his voice is soft and I’m afraid to look up and see what’s on his face. Or anyone around us. “Please, don’t hide from me. You look- Merlin, witch. Everyone at this fucking party is drooling over you right now.” 

What the fuck? 

That gets me to look up, but my temper is quelled somewhat by the look in his eyes. I don’t know exactly what emotion it is and I’m afraid to get my hopes up, but- “Yes, Malfoy, that’s the point. I don’t know if you understand the idea of Sin, but I’m sure you’re acquainted with the idea of lust?” It comes out a little snarkier than I intended, but who is he to shame me? As a matter of fact, “And look who’s talking. You look like you’ve been sent from heaven to bring us all to our knees! Every witch here has creamed her knickers looking at those fucking wings.” 

He looks stunned, and I refuse to blush. His grin is wicked when he leans in close and whispers, “The only knickers I’m worried about here tonight are yours.” He’s standing so close that he can look right down the top of my corset. “And if you really want to get on your knees for me, I’ll let you. But I get to go first.” 

Merlin. 

This was not how I expected this to go.

“What do you say, then, Granger? Can I get you a drink? Make all these other poor arseholes jealous?” He’s still grinning when he says it, but for the first time I can see a little nervousness in his eyes. 

It’s enough to propel me to move closer. I take his hand but curl my other around the leather straps holding his wings on. Even on my tiptoes I’m not tall enough to actually whisper in his ear like I planned, so I do the next best thing and press close enough that I can feel his breath on my face. 

“No” He looks shocked for a moment, then I see his face start to blank as his shields come up. That is definitely not what I want. His lips are warm on mine and part in surprise as I pull him down into the kiss. His wings (his wings?!) flare out around us and I hear Gin whoop “finally!!” among the cheers of our friends right before I apparate us away. 

“I’m getting mixed signals here, Granger.” He’s breathing heavily as we land on the far side of the garden. Sometimes I convince Pansy to run with me out here and this is my favorite secluded spot. 

“Don’t you think if we are finally going to do this you should stop calling me by my last name?” I step far enough back to see all the emotions play across his face before he blanks them out again. 

“I’ll call you whatever you want me to while I fuck you.” His eyes are gleaming silver at me, but something in his voice doesn’t sound genuine at all. 

What the-? Oh.

“Stop occluding, Malfoy. I would like to have this conversation with you without wondering what’s actually going on in your head.” It’s like watching the sun come up when he raises his shields. That’s so much better. Merlin, he’s gorgeous like this. “What exactly do you think I brought us out here for?”

His laugh is a little mean when he gestures to my costume. Ugh, the audacity of this man! He cuts me off before I can start yelling at him though, “I thought it was obvious. You show up here dripping sex, refuse my polite offer of a drink and then whisk me away as soon as I offer to get you off.” He runs his hand through his hair and it makes me want to see how much more I can mess him up. “Come on, then, I’ll admit you look really fucking hot in that getup. I’m not going to turn you down if you want a little bit of Death Eater rough.”

What the fuck is he talking about? 

“Bullshit, Malfoy. I’m calling bullshit. This isn’t about getting off together and you know it!” I shrug a little at his incredulous look and concede, “Okay, fine. Do I want you to fuck me? Yes, absolutely. Very much.” He spins around to face me where he was pacing toward the edge of the garden and his eyes are blazing, “But this is not about me fucking a Death Eater. Godric, I can’t believe you- Let’s talk about getting some ‘rough’ then, shall we? What would Mommy and Daddy say about you dirtying your cock with a Mudblood, huh?” 

The stone of the garden wall is rough on my back when he presses me into it. “Do. Not. Ever. Call yourself that again. Do you hear me?” His breath is heavy, sweet and warmed with whiskey, across my face. His shields are completely down and he looks like he’s been struck.

All the fight goes out of me. We’re ridiculous. 

“Oh, Draco.” His breath hitches when I say his name, and he leans his forehead down against mine. “I brought you out here to talk. I wanted to see-”

His hand is warm on my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes, and I realize the sun has set while we were out here arguing. I can barely hear the party happening in the main garden–laughter and music. Maybe we should have just stayed.

“What-” I can hear his throat click as he swallows and I don’t think I’ve ever seen him this nervous. “What did you want to talk about?” 

“Us. I wanted to talk about us. Everyone seems to think…” He’s smiling now and he’s giving me emotional whiplash. 

“Everyone, huh? Yeah, they all seem to have a lot to say about it, don’t they? Won’t just leave well enough alone.” 

“Oh. Well-” I try to step away from him, but I’m still against the wall. He feels me try to move but doesn’t let me look away. “I mean, if you don’t want-”

“I definitely want. Hermione, come on.” I’m glued to the spot as soon as he says my name. I’ve never heard him say it. Not like that. “Everyone seems to think, because everyone knows how I feel about you. I’ve wanted you for so long.” He closes his eyes and I miss their warmth immediately. His next words are no more than a breath across my forehead.

“I just couldn’t stand the thought of you being done with me after a couple of weeks”

Oh, Merlin.

“Draco, I-” How do I explain this? “I haven’t dated anyone seriously since I realized Ron and I were definitely not compatible in a post-war situation.” I can’t help but chuckle at the look of disgust on his face at the thought of me with Ronald. It is kind of silly now when I look back on it. “Then I was so focused on my career and building the firm and trying to reconnect with my family that I didn’t have time to get to know anyone well enough to actually want them.” 

I tug him back toward me when he goes to step back. “Every guy I’ve dated over the last few years has been purely physical. I was upfront about it, no one caught feelings, and everyone left unscathed.” His eyes are dark when I finally get him to look at me, “Do you know how hard it is to find someone who wants me for me? Me–Hermione Granger–not the Golden Girl nonsense. All my quirks and insecurities and research binges and my mad old cat-”

“And your addiction to ginger biscuits and cheap champagne. Coffee with too much sugar and tea with too much cream.” He’s wrapping curls around his fingers while he talks, and I wouldn’t be able to move even if I wanted to. “Your bookshelf organization that doesn’t make sense to anyone but you. Your incessant need to mother hen your friends when they’re ill but sheer refusal to accept the same in return.” 

His lips are so soft when he finally kisses me. Soft and gentle and barely there, like he’s scared of the outcome. “I want you, Hermione. All of you. I’m not good at relationships, and Merlin knows you deserve someone better than me. But I do. I know you. And I want you.”

“I guess we will figure it out together, then?” His smile is blinding, and I can’t help but match it with my own. “I know you too. And I want you, Draco. I do. All of you.” 

This kiss is just as soft but not as gentle. It’s deep, passionate, and he groans into my mouth when I pull him closer to me. “I guess we won’t have to figure that part out,” he chuckles and presses kisses into my jaw between the words.

“Oh, no. Not at all. Sex I’m good at. It’s all the rest of it you’ll have to have patience with.” I realize how the words sound as soon as I say them but don’t back down from his raised eyebrow. 

I am Lust tonight, after all.

His smile is wicked as he grabs me around the waist and lifts me. “Well, then, my lady, let’s start there. I remember something about worshiping at your feet.”

“It’s not my feet I want you to worship.” I wonder if they can hear his laughter boom through the gardens over the music. That’s a sound I want to hear again and again. 

The metal bench is cool in the twilight when he lowers me down, but his hands spread heat over my skin as he leans over to kiss me again. It’s hot and searching and this time it’s my moan echoing between our lips. His hands are everywhere, fingertips smooth against the skin of my shoulders, the space left between straps of my corset, and over the edge of the stockings as he pushes my thighs apart. 

“This fucking skirt.” It’s no more than a growl against my mouth, but it vibrates heat all the way down my spine. “I thought I was going to have to obliviate every bloody wizard at this party after they saw you. I think Theo was right–you’re trying to kill us all.” 

His thumbs press into the meat of my thighs and I arch toward him with a whimper. These knickers are ruined.

“Not all. Just you.” I told Gin not to tighten this corset so tightly. I can barely breathe in the blasted thing. “I just wanted your attention.”

“Salazar alive, Granger. You could have shown up dressed as Greg and I wouldn’t have been able to take my eyes off you. I never am” This time it’s my kiss that’s searching. He opens to me immediately and his tongue is so hot against mine. I can’t wait to feel it on my skin. He promised.

It must show on my face when I pull back because he winks and his fingers are dangerously close to the slick silk of my knickers. “I told you these were the only knickers I was worried about tonight. Can I see how much you like these ridiculous wings?” He’s joking but

“You look amazing tonight, Draco. Seriously. This was the perfect costume for you. Fierce. Powerful. Mysterious. A little broken maybe? I think we quite match that way.” He knows I mean more than the costume, and the kiss he presses to my knee is sweet. I wiggle my hips to help him slide my knickers off and the way his nostrils flare a little before he looks up at me with eyes, darker than before…

Oh Merlin.

He doesn’t hesitate to grab my ankles as soon as he tosses the silk aside, pulling my feet up onto the bench. I’m spread completely before him and I can feel my wetness sliding between my thighs. I have to lean back and grab onto the backrest for leverage when he finally presses his lips against my skin. 

His mouth is soft against the skin above the stockings, and I can’t help but watch him. Wings high above his shoulders, his eyes blaze molten silver into mine as he sets his teeth right below the curve of my arse. Pleasure zips like electricity straight to my cunt and I scream his name. 

“By the Gods, witch. I was going to try to take my time, but I have waited long enough to taste you. How do you like it? You want me to tease you?” He runs the tip of his tongue, just barely enough to feel, over where I’m spread open before him. “Do you want me to get you there fast and hard?” I scream and buck against his face when he sucks my clit between his lips. “Oh, you think you’re going to get to be in charge, do you? Do you want to ride my face, Hermione?” His tongue presses flat against me and I can’t help but grind into it. 

I’m glad we’re so far away from the party. That desperate, keening sound is definitely coming from me. 

“Do you need my fingers, sweetheart? Need something to ride?” I have spent many hours wondering what Draco Malfoy would be like in bed, but the pet name throws me and I can’t hold back the moan of his name.

“Oh you like that, don’t you? Here you go. You’ve got me, baby. My fingers, my tongue. You taste like heaven. Make yourself feel good.” His fingers. Merlin. He curls them just right and I’m so close. “That’s right. Good girl. Let me hear you, Hermione. Scream my name. Let them all know how good I’m making you feel right now.”

“Draco. Draco, please”, I’m begging and I can’t stop. Don’t want to. I don’t know if I’ve ever come this quickly. If you don’t count the arguing that we did as foreplay. Which I probably shouldn’t, but he’s so fucking hot. “Draco, I’m so close”

“What do you need, sweetheart?” Bloody pet names again. He cuts off my answer with a truly genius move of his tongue on my clit. I’m barely able to talk at this point anyway. “Merlin, baby, you feel so good around my fingers. I can’t wait to get my cock in you. You’re going to take every inch of me, aren’t you? This pretty little cunt gets so wet. You’re so wet for me. It’s all mine, isn’t it?” His fingers are pressing hard inside me, curling up just right and oh- Oh, fuck. “Say it, Hermione. Say it when you come. Tell me who’s pussy this is. Is it mine? Can I have it?”

“Yes! Oh, fuck, Draco! Yes. Yours. It’s yours. Please…” His grin is wicked right before he grinds his mouth down against me one last time and I shatter. I can feel the wetness seep out around his hand, onto his face. He’s moaning into my skin like it’s the best thing he’s ever tasted as he gentles me through the aftershocks. 

I’m panting as hard as I can in this blasted costume, soaked with my own juices down to my knees, and when I look down he’s knelt there. Black kohl smudged around his eyes, hair askew, face shiny. The wings of his costume are spread around us and my eyes trail from where they rise above his shoulder to where beads of sweat are trailing down past their harness to the waistband of his trousers. 

“I- Draco, I- Oh, Godric. I need a minute,” His laugh is full of male pride and I kick at him weakly before he leans up and presses a kiss to my shoulder. He dodges away from me when I try to kiss him back, and I know I’m frowning when I pull him back to me. “Kiss me.”

“I will. I just- I wasn’t sure if you,” his stammering is cute, but I much prefer the way he groans into my mouth when I pull him up against me. And the way he full on growls when I slide my tongue past his lips to taste myself. 

“Draco, there is no situation in which I will not want to kiss you. Don’t ever doubt that.” His eyes are blazing and he picks me up bridal style. I have no idea where my knickers are. 

His response when I tell him this is simply a shrug, “Doesn’t matter. I’m getting ready to take the rest of this getup off you anyway.” 

Why is that so hot?

“Will you let me do that, Hermione? Can I take you to bed? Can I have you?” Morgana help me. This man.

“Please. I’m yours, Draco. Let’s go” A flash of a grin and then the pop of apparition. He was leading this time, so I wasn’t expecting the ornate bedroom. 

But I won’t complain about it. 

His mouth is hard on mine this time, urgent, and I feel the same way. We work together to get the buckles of my harness undone and the noise he makes when he first sees my uncovered breasts was worth not being able to breath for a couple hours. 

He’s on me like a starving man, lips soft and tongue hot as he bites and sucks each of my nipples to hardness. I’m a panting, begging mess to get his mouth back on mine and we haven’t even gotten his trousers off yet. I’m tired of waiting, and he goes easily when I push him up off me. He’s standing at the end of the bed, dark and imposing as a nightmare, but his smile is sweet and the way his fingertips tangle in my hair when I hit my knees in front of him sends heat through my belly. 

“My turn” I can’t resist winking at him and I bite back my smile at his whimper. He closes his eyes as I work the fastening of his trousers down. “Merlin, these are tight. Was Pansy trying to keep me out of them? Fuck.” 

I didn’t think he would hear that, but he can’t hold back his chuckle and it’s enough to break the tension. He takes pity on me and reaches down to help. I’m pretty sure there’s some magic involved, but I don’t care. 

“I have dreamed of you like this- So, so many times… Sweetheart, you have no idea how much I want your mouth on me. But I’m going to go off like a fifth-year boy in a broom closet if you do.” He’s so tense. I wasn’t expecting that reaction. I have to admit I’m a little sad about it. His cock is perfect. He’s so hard the foreskin is tight back around the head. Hot and heavy in my hand, slick with arousal. I really want to taste. But I can wait. 

I’ll get my turn to worship at his feet. 

He grabs me as soon as I’m standing in front of him and his cock presses hard against my belly. Without the heels and with the addition of the wings, he towers over me. He always comes across so cool and collected, I guess I expected his skin to feel the same. Like marble. Definitely not the heat that’s pressed against me now. 

He’s still wearing the wings and Godric help me, I don’t want him to take them off. I stop him when he goes for the buckle and he laughs. “You really like them that much?” 

I shrug and pull up to kiss him again so I don’t have to answer. “What was that, sweetheart? Do you really want me to keep them on?” 

I’m blushing like a fool when I press my face into his chest and whisper, “I like them. You look- Fuck, Draco, I don’t know… The thought of seeing you above me, wings spread around us. Knowing you’re mine? It just feels..” 

“What, baby? Feels what?” He’s pressing me down into the pillows now and when I open my eyes and look up at him, it’s exactly what I expected. I can’t stop the word from slipping past my lips. 

“Safe” Like a prayer.

His eyes are wide and his kiss is wild when he presses down into the cradle of my hips. I moan into his mouth when I feel him slide against my clit. He’s smiling when he pulls back and I can’t help the way my breath catches and eyes burn when he picks up my arm and presses a kiss over where the worst of my scars are. They’re glamoured. Always glamoured. But he hasn’t forgotten. How far we’ve come…

“I’ll always keep you safe, love.” This endearment breaks me and I pull him down completely against me with my leg around his hip. 

“Fuck me, Draco.” 

He presses into me with a groan and I arch off the bed to get closer to him. “No, sweetheart. You asked me to fuck you. You’re going to take what I give you.” He’s up on his knees, watching his cock disappear into my body. Slow strokes, deep and rhythmic, drag me closer and closer to the edge. “You look so good like this. Better than any fantasy I ever had. And Merlin, love, I’ve had plenty. Having you here under me? Begging me for more?” His thrusts get a little harder and I beg a little louder each time. 

“I’m going to claim this sweet cunt, Hermione. It’s going to be mine for as long as you’ll have me. Let all those wizards down there at the party lust after you, no one gets to see you fall apart like I do.” I’m panting now, so close. He’s found the perfect angle, but he’s not going any faster than he started. I’m dying.

“Play with your tits, baby. Let me watch. Do you know how many nights I dreamed of getting my mouth on your perfect fucking body? Merlin, the way you taste. Every day, Hermione. I’m going to dream of eating your pussy every single day for the rest of my life. Will you let me have you whenever I want?”

Godric, I was not expecting his filthy mouth. 

“Will you let me sneak you off during one of the boring couple’s dinners we are going to have to start going to and bend you over the sink so I can have this sweet cunt for dessert?” Oh God. “Will you let me slide my fingers inside of you while we’re dancing at a club, just when I need a taste?” I’m so fucking close. He’s not changing his pace at all. Bastard knows what he’s doing. He’s going to talk me straight into an orgasm. 

Fuck.

He chuckles when I start begging again and it jostles his cock inside me. “Are you close, sweetheart? Are you going to come with me? Let me feel you clench around me. You’re going to take it all in, aren’t you? Let me fill you up? Claim you as mine?” 

He’s speeding up with every question and all I can manage is a chant of yes and his name and please and- Oh, Godric.

“There you go, baby. Good girl. Come with me, I’m close. Scream my name, Hermione. Let everyone downstairs at this fucking party know who made you come this hard.” 

That’s it. Knowing that he kept us here on the estate, that everyone can probably hear us, pushes me over the edge. He’s arched over me, head bowed, wings spread, cock pressed as deeply as possible when I scream his name. He groans in response and I can feel him pulsing inside me, milked by the contractions of my orgasm, his breath hot on my chest. 

Holy shit. I don’t think I’ve ever come so hard in my life. 

He laughs when I tell him, but it's mostly just a puff of air across my nipple. He hums and takes it in his mouth and I squirm underneath him laughing. “I’m going to need a few minutes before we go again.” 

His smile is beautiful. He’s so beautiful. “So you want to go again?” 

“Every day. You promised.” His smile is even better pressed against my lips and I can feel his cock start to twitch inside me when the door bursts open. 

“This is my fucking room, Draco! What in the bloody hell?” He’s full on laughing against me now and I can’t hold back my moan. “Oh, no. You absolute arse. Go to your own house. Or find a guest room. No one gets to defile my bed but me! It’s my birthday, Dray! Come on, man.” That last part comes out as a whine, and even though Draco is shielding me from most of it I hear the rest of the crew running up the stairs. 

“Good show, Dray! Morgana’s tits, she’s loud!” If I hadn’t known for years that Theo was completely shameless, I would not be able to look him in the eye at work on Monday. Especially after that. 

“You kept the wings on?!” Pansy sounds thrilled by this development–poor Blaise. “Kinky bastard”

It’s easy to tune them out when Draco is looking down at me like that and in an impressive bit of wandless magic, he slams the door on them with a flick of his wrist. The knob immediately starts jingling but they can’t break his lock. 

“Now where were we?” I smile into his kiss and push him off me. Maybe now I’ll get my turn to worship at his feet.