Hermione Granger was a grateful woman. Grateful for having loving friends who quickly became family. Grateful for living through some dark ages in her younger years at Hogwarts. Grateful for making a difference in her own life and others. Grateful for landing a position in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures to make a difference in some “magical beings” lives.
She was especially grateful for passing the bill that allowed those same “beings” to come out of hiding and actually participate in the Wizarding World. It entailed Werewolves receiving their own sanctioned rights, along with other creatures that have been shut out from living their day to day life in fear of turning up in some kind of trouble with the Ministry.
Hermione was even more grateful for the fact that the unlikely blonde from her younger years worked side by side from the Department of International Magical Cooperation, handling the decisions that were placed in front of the Wizingamot courtrooms. The two worked together day and night from the first time Hermione even announced the idea of the magical beings receiving any kinds of benefits or rights. Draco Malfoy stood by her every decision and backed her wholeheartedly to make these differences be well heard and taken care of.
Through the endless hours, that turned into months of work put into passing this bill, Hermione may have developed a tiny bit of a crush on the certain blonde.
Oh, who was she kidding? She had been crushing hard on the tall, chiseled man for the better half of the year. From stolen glances when passing him in the atrium or lobby, to blatantly drooling over the wizard during work meetings - which he led with the utmost poise and confidence. His teasing towards her always made her feel a pang of annoyance when they were younger, but now she couldn’t help but think that she could love the idea of having such a banter with him.
As the spread news quickly of both their departments making such a headway for the future of the New Wizarding World, Hermione felt almost obliged to host a small gathering at her flat in London. Deciding on inviting her small team of researchers, analysts, and assistants, she also invited Draco’s team - and of course, Draco.
Harry, Ron, and Ginny were also privy to the invites, along with an extended invitation to whoever Draco wanted to bring along.
———
Hermione was properly sloshed at her own party. As soon as invites were out, everyone had immediately replied with their congrats and warm wishes for her and her team along with confirmation for joining her. Draco was actually one of the first to confirm his attendance for her little soirée.
As coworkers and friends straggled in and out of her flat, Hermione felt elated. She was so entirely happy with the bill passing that she found yourself taking a shot of firewhisky with anyone and everyone who asked her. The feeling of the warm liquor down her throat, loosened her body with each drink.
Dancing and moving her hips to muggle music, she caught her eye to that same blonde who was standing in corner with his friends, Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott. He smirked at her from that distance, and Hermione immediately felt the heat of her skin prick up along the side of her neck and burn into her cheeks. She quickly turned around to find a sloppy Neville and Pansy dancing on each other.
She turned around once again, and felt a tang of dizziness and righteously thought to head toward her sofa set. After plopping onto one of the couches, she found herself bopping her head to the beats of the music. She felt the warmth of a body slide down her arm and turned her head upwards to face the nicely dressed man to her right. “Malfoy.” Hermione gave a crooked smile.
”Granger.” He smirked down at her. “Quite the shindig you’ve got going on here. I’m having a lot of fun.” He nudged her slightly.
Hermione felt his broad shoulders leaning against her, reveling in the warmth that radiated through this Oxford shirt. “Yeah?” She grinned as she tilted her head up towards Draco. He nodded once in the affirmative with his signature smirk.
“I’m glad. I feel like I haven’t had this much fun in a long time.” She sighed in relief, “I’ve been so preoccupied with this case that I want to not take another for the next month.”
Chuckling next to her, he leaned into her ear, “I think you deserve all the fun for working so hard.” His hot breath tickling down her ear and neck, raising goosebumps down her arms. She could feel herself blush from the softness of his voice.
“You’re pretty when you blush like that, you know?”
Hermione blushed heavily even more. Feeling the heat of the liquor and intense stare from Draco, she turned her head away. She sheepishly thanked him, and saw that she was met with the eyes of a piercing Theo Nott. Who was closely followed by Blaise.
Theo nodded towards Hermione, “Granger. Thanks for the invite, but it looks like Blaise here has gotten himself into more liquor than needed, so we’ll be heading out. Looking forward to seeing you throw more parties, love.”
Hermione stumbled herself into standing in front of him to give a quick kiss to each Slytherin on the cheek. “Thanks for coming, Theo. Blaise, feel better!”
Theo peered over to Draco who was languidly seated with his legs spread apart. Draco waved a hand in salute, “I think I’ll stay awhile Theo. Maybe convince Hermione to host more parties in the future.”
Turning around to see Draco casually pull his leg over this thigh, she caught herself before she could openly check him out. Clearing her throat, “C’mon, let me walk you both out.”
She felt his gaze all night. From the moment she left the couch, to when she dropped his friends off. To when she returned to the living room to be spun around by Harry. Everywhere she went in her apartment, she felt Draco’s eyes watching her over. She couldn’t help but keep blushing every time she met his eyes.
———
Minutes passed into the late hours of the night, before Hermione noticed the party was slowly starting to end. Neville and Pansy bid their goodbyes in a rush to apparate into Neville’s flat down the street from Hermione’s. Dean and Seamus drunkenly left to join their other group of friends for more drinking at the Three Broomsticks. Draco lingered around, whether it was sitting on her couch or walking around nursing a firewhisky in his hand.
Hermione led someone from her small team out her door before she heard someone violently puking their insides on her kitchen floor. Lo and behold, it was her ex, Ron.
Embarrassed with his cheeks turned completely pink, Ron sheepishly smiled up to Hermione standing before him. “Hermione, I’m so sorry. I’m just.. I’m just so happy for you, I got so,” Ron hiccuped in between his words, “carried away. You deserve the attention and love and happiness. But not this vomit.”
Hermione laughed at Ron’s stupidity and waved her wand to clean the mess up. “That’s alright Ron. It might be best to stop drinking for a bit though.”
“Yeah, he’s done for the night. We’re actually going to head out, Hermione.”Harry and Ginny both helped Ron adjust his wavering stance before kissing Hermione on the cheeks goodbye. Giving a quick hug to Ginny and a promise to catch up with her later that week, she turned back to the kitchen to clean up.
Sighing heavily, she went to pick up some shot glasses that were left out onto the granite tabletop. She heard a throat clearing behind and slightly jumped at the sound, spinning around to see Draco was facing her. She thought he had left a while back, but must have been mistaken as the night really started to feel like a blur.
She quickly nodded her head to acknowledge him and turned back to cleaning the tabletop. The music that was once blaring over her head was lowered into background noise. As she tried not to think about Draco standing behind her a few feet away, she quickly used her wand to lazily have the dishes, glasses, and other silverware wash themselves and be placed back into their rightful places.
Hermione all of a sudden felt a warm body hover behind her, and she was completely engulfed in his scent. Warm cider, a hint of aftershave, and old parchment paper. Her skin starting to prick just at the realization of him grazing his hand over her upper arm.
“Granger, I’ll help you clean. It’s a pigsty in here.” His low voice rumbled through her body as she silently nodded back and moved away from him.
Finally clearing the area in her kitchen, she turned to see a few more of her friends and coworkers were standing around, lazily swaying to the dimmed music.
She heard Draco clear his throat roughly, “Alright people! The party is over, and we need to actually get up quite early tomorrow for a meeting at the Wizingamot for our final details on the bill.”
With that announcement, the last few stragglers were leaving Hermione’s apartment with an abundance of more hugs, kisses, and congratulatory’s. As Draco fished the last assistant out, he clicked the lock on the door and turned to face her.
“There’s no meeting tomorrow, Malfoy.” Hermione chuckled when she realised just what Draco had said to her attendees to leave.
Draco smiled back at her, “well they needed to leave sometime, didn’t they? Besides, I know you’re an early sleeper. Figured I’d help you clear the flat.”
“Thank you, Draco.” Draco widened his eyes slightly at Hermione using his first name - which was always a rare occurrence. Hermione just nodded once and blushed, yet again, and got back to cleaning around her apartment.
The two worked together silently, listening to the dull music in the background as they cleaned her apartment. As Hermione sobered up, she really took in the fact that she had a wonderful time hosting and would have to do it again some time.
———
Hermione took a seat in her chaise lounge as she saw Draco grab two bottles of water for the both of them from one of her cabinets. She was actually quite happy he stayed to help because she wouldn’t have had the motivation to do it all at that moment.
He strolled into the living room and sat on the floor, extending his legs with an ankle over the other. Flicking his wand, he let the other bottle float towards Hermione before she caught it, nodding her thanks.
Draco slid his sleeves halfway up his arms as he also loosened his tie. Hermione watched every single move before he cleared his throat.
“Care to play a game, Granger?” His low, husky voice controlling the air in the room, had a tight grip on her as she swallowed hard.
“What kind of game?” She nervously asked as she tucked a leg under her other one.
“A fun one,” he replied with a smirk. “Let’s play truth or dare. I’m assuming you’ve played before?”
She felt her throat constricting as she nodded her head. Hermione could feel the thick air between them.
Draco chuckled, “alright, then. Truth or dare, Granger?”
“Truth.” She primly replied.
“Of course, you’d choose truth. Wouldn’t have put it past you to -” Draco scoffed with a teasing tone, only to be cut off.
“Ok fine, dare Malfoy.” Hermione felt herself feel warm and thought she should’ve stayed with the truth. It was an easy and a safe option.
“I dare you to come off the couch and join me on the floor.” His eyes gleamed through his lashes as he pulled his smirk into a small smile.
Truth would have definitely been a safer option.
Hermione lowered herself onto the floor and kept her back straight against her couch. “Alright my turn then. Truth or dare, Malfoy?”
His eyes intently watching over her body as she moved down to the floor and settled onto her eyes, he kept his smile plastered on his face. “Truth.”
She pondered over what to ask him. Hermione wanted to keep it simple and sweet. “How did you like working with me, swot extraordinaire, on this bill we just passed?”
His smile remained as he nodded at her once. “I see you’re playing it safe. I actually enjoyed working with you. It’s not like how it used to be back in Hogwarts. It has been a pleasure working with you and your team, and I wish to work with you again in the near future.”
Draco’s response stunned her for a moment. He didn’t take a chance to mock her lightly how he usually did. She really appreciated the sentiment and honestly agreed that working with him, was quite insightful and dare she say, fun.
“Truth or dare,” he cut off her thoughts.
“Truth, this time.”
”What do you honestly think about me joining the Ministry, after everything that’s happened the past couple of years?” Draco kept his gaze low and it flickered up to meet her own line of sight, only for him to look back at his lap.
It seemed as if he really wanted to have a genuine conversation about this with her. And he wondered about her opinion of him.
Hermione took a sip of water before replying with a timid smile, “honestly, I think it’s a great step forward in the world we live in. And a wonderful way for you to upend the prejudices our society still faces today. You’ve made such an impact since joining the Ministry, and I hope to see you continue making those impacts.”
She heard him sigh in relief before looking up at her, “thanks Granger. That means more than you know. Sorry to get a bit sentimental there, but I genuinely appreciate you taking me in on this project. No one had turned twice to work with me, let alone let me pitch any ideas for them.”
Hermione shared a smile with Draco and felt intimately closer to him. To have that kind of burden, to be blacklisted from other companies for childish decisions that were made years ago, it broke her heart.
“Okay,” she cleared her throat. “Let’s steer away from heavy hitting subjects while we play this game, yeah?” She laughed in his response of a laugh.
The next half hour consisted of safe and slightly teasing truths and dares from each other. Hermione felt she was going to fall in love with the wizard if he kept continuing to talk about his love for muggle architecture and the poems that were written by an Ernest Hummingbird - which Hermione primly corrected to Hemingway.
As the night continued on, the tension in the room rose substantially. Draco would make a tease worthy remark, which ended up being slightly sexual, making Hermione lose her chill each time with the way her cheeks were on fire.
Finally Hermione opted for a truth so she could try to cool her body down with his ridiculous dares of letting her hair down, unbuttoning her top button of her dress, letting him see her apply her cherry flavored chapstick.
“Hmm, how long have you had your eyes on me?” Draco adjusted his pant leg and hiked a knee up. Leaning his arm over that upended leg, he took a gulp from the water bottle.
If she thought the air was thick then, she had a new thing coming. Feeling herself get warmer by the second, goosebumps prickled through her exposed skin. She didn’t know if it was safer to keep his dares coming, or having the truth spill out.
Hermione was now fully shocked in embarrassment. Having a bit of playful banter with a coworker and was one thing when you think nothing would come out of it. But banter aside, had Draco been noticing her when she was caught off guard?
He cleared his throat, waiting for an answer that turned her into a stuttering mess, “I- Draco, I don’t- I don’t know what-”
“Ask me, truth or dare.” He glanced at her with those smoldering eyes.
“Wh- what?” Hermione could barely make out what was happening to her. Normally, she would be so poised and rational in her responses to everything, but she was a blubbering mess right about now.
”Ask me truth or dare, Hermione.”
“Uh… okay. Truth or dare?” She nervously asked. She tried not to think about this being one of the few, rare times he’s ever said her first name. But she wanted to relish in the way he pronounced it.
“Truth. Now ask me the same question I just asked you.”
Oh sweet Merlin, this is where he would let her down gently. Tell her it’s inappropriate to have eyes for anyone in their respective departments, especially since they’re working together in such close quarters. He’s going to make a fool of her by replying how he could never like a girl like her.
She soldiered on by barely whispering, “how long have you had your eyes on me?”
“Since the day you decided to work with me on this bill.” His assertiveness and blunt answers was always something she admired about him. It was one of the many reasons why he was a great legal aide. “Your turn, truth or dare?”
Still wrapping her head around his confession, she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Since the day they started working together? That was nearly a whole year ago! Trying to think quickly and stay safe, she blurted out, “dare.”
He smiled deeply, showing a small dimple on his left lower cheek. “I dare you to come closer.”
His voice gruff and low, it was as if in a trance that she sat up and kneeled on her legs. Scooting closer to where his leg was extended. Hermione kept her hands in her lap, staring straight back at him. She couldn’t believe he basically admitted to liking her. This has to be some type of a fever dream. For him to like her back, it was barmy, wasn’t it?
Truth be told, she loved the excitement she felt in their situation. Her nerves felt a tingling sensation as her knee grazed across his extended foot. She glared at him before asking, “truth or dare?”
“Truth.” He replied with gleam in his eyes, awaiting a question.
“Why did you stay to help me clean up after the party?” She was still playing it safe, and she knew it. Hermione could have taken it in any direction, but she felt as if she wanted him to make the moves, if he was really being honest in his admittance.
“Because you needed help. And I wouldn’t have minded some one on one time with you.” His answers had her head spinning.
“Then why haven’t-.” Hermione started before she was cut off by Draco’s silky voice.
”Ah ah, it isn’t your turn yet. What will it be, dare again?” He positioned himself so his legs were under him as she nodded before him. “I dare you to come closer, Granger.”
Hermione scooted even further into his personal space. Both his and her knees now touching. She glanced up to see him an arms length away from her. His steel eyes glistening and intently staring into her soul, she timidly smiled. “Truth or dare?”
“Truth.” He nodded.
“Why haven’t you ever said anything?” She almost immediately rushed out to him.
”I wanted to make sure you felt the same way. And I knew once you started defending me at the Wizingamot a few months back against those judges who didn’t care to listen to our case because it was me representing it.” He solemnly replied with a straighter back. “Now, truth or dare, Granger?”
Sitting herself up straight as well to match his stance. She smiled a smile that reached her eyes before replying, “dare, Malfoy.”
He slowly leaned onto his knees as he staggered forward, with a cohort of inches between their faces before whispering, “I dare you to kiss me.”
Hermione leaned further closing the gap between to the two, with her lips gently touching his. Feeling the softness of his lips, she smiled into the languid kiss feeling more confident. Her heart was beating at a rapid pace that didn’t seem like it would be slowing down any time soon.
Speaking into her lips, “I dare you to come even closer.” Hermione felt Draco shift underneath her as he straightened out his legs to give her space to bring each leg over his midsection, to properly straddle the wizard. Now completely flush up against his body, she felt his roaming hands all over her sides, lower back, under her bum. Exploring her body in a way that made her skin grow warmer with each caress.
She sighed into his lips, “I dare you to keep going.” Her own hands were crawling up his shirt to the collar to begin unbuttoning him slowly. She felt him shift below her again, as she whimpered against his now growing prick. Slightly rocking forward, she continued to slowly unbutton his shirt.
Small groans and hips thrusting upwards, hitting spots that needed more friction, she moaned into Draco’s mouth. “Draco, I need-”
“What do you need? Tell me.” He grabbed her bare thighs and let her dress bunch up around her waist. Fingers circling around each of her outer thigh, Draco kept an agonizingly slow pace for her liking.
She let her hands lazily hover his shoulders as Hermione moved her head back. Looking at Draco in such duress, it made her feel elated. Swollen lips, and his tousled hair that barely reached over his eyes. Hermione sweetly smiled at him before bending her head down to kiss along his jaw. Making her way up to just right below his earlobe, she whispered, “I want you to touch me.”
Draco suddenly gripped her thighs with such a force that would surely leave bruises down her legs in the morning. He tucked her legs from underneath her and gently laid her down on the carpeted floor. Hermione gasped at the sudden change of scenery - which consisted of Draco hovering over her, leaning in as he smiled into their kiss. "Gladly." His rough voice echoed through her mind as her body reacted with her hair sticking up in goosebumps.
Peppering kisses alongside her jaw, neck, the edge of the dress that showed her cleavage, Draco kept his grip firm on her thighs. She felt his long fingers start to loosen against her skin as he trailed his hand up her thigh, toward the area that she needed more attention at. His kisses, even over her flimsy dress left her hot and wanting until he reached down to her apex. With a small whisper against her upper thigh, she felt the cool air touch her heated center and instantly realised that he vanished her knickers. Draco bunched the dress from her upper thighs with his free hand and kept up with his ministrations with his other hand as he kept toying along her thigh.
He peered through his dark lashes to see Hermione intently watching his every move. Chest heaving, breathing scattered, and perked up on her elbows, Hermione pleaded with Draco, begging him to move further, closer to her core. She gently lifted her waist up towards his face, but was met with his strong hands pushing her down as he tutted towards her. He groaned against his will and slowly moved his hand closer to her, barely touching her heat, which was dripping wet already.
Humming to himself, he started to press further into her quim and slowly rubbed his fingers against her opening. Draco heard a small thud and quickly lifted his head to make sure Hermione was okay, and noticed she was no longer perked up on her elbows anymore. She was laying flat on the floor now and used both her hands to undo more buttons of her dress. He observed as she tried to open up her dress further to reach her bare chest.
His fingers kept a steady pace when suddenly Hermione felt a finger slip inside her opening and she moaned wantonly, writhing under his weight. Keeping the rhythmic flow, whilst adding another finger in, he lowered his mouth towards her clit. He heard Hermione sighing heavily, moaning, and gasping for her breath as she felt the pressure of his mouth attach onto her.
After a few minutes of this blissful torture, Draco groaned against her quim as he moved his head away for a few seconds to catch his own breath. And to his pleasure, he saw Hermione's bra completely pulled over below her breasts as she was massaging them both in slow circles, with occasionally pinching herself into whimpers. Draco couldn't believe his eyes. He slowly started to trail kisses up her body as he continued pumping his fingers in and out of her incessantly.
"Merlin Granger, you look amazing with your top off." He brushed his nose against her sternum, and eventually pushed one of her hands off her breast. Draco took it upon himself to capture a puckered nipple into his mouth, picking and nipping at it. As Hermione let out a louder moan than before, while arching her back into Draco's mouth further, he quickly soothes that pinch of pain by licking her nipple in languid caress. "Please Malfoy... oh God, please," she moaned through another heavy sigh.
Draco smiled against her nipple as he pulled his fingers out of her. He saw Hermione's face twist in frustration when she didn't reach her orgasm. He assumed she must've been close with the way she was slightly shaking underneath him. Trailing the two fingers that were once in her body, he popped them into his mouth as he sucked on them. Moaning softly, he whispered, "mmm, wanna taste?"
Hermione cupped Draco's face and pulled him up from above her chest to crash her lips against his. The frantic kissing slowly turned into a more heated, passionate snog that drove Hermione crazy. She felt his erection bulging through his trousers against her thigh. Whispering the same spell against the kiss, Draco was fully naked and on top of her. Draco chuckled, "feeling a bit eager, are we?"
"I dare you to.. oh, God!" Hermione's words were stolen as she gasped against Draco's lips at the first touch of his cock entering her. He hadn't given any warning whatsoever, but it felt like heaven at the first contact. He gasped alongside with her and slowly started to create a rhythm of his own for them to reach their peak.
A couple of thrusts, sighs, and moans later, both felt their orgasms crash through a wave of undeniable pleasure. Now tangled and snuggled up next to each other on the floor, Draco felt Hermione stirring from by his chest. Their heartbeats were slowing down to a reasonable pace and both were finally able to catch their breaths.
"That was... a million times better than how I had imagined it, Granger." Draco pulled her close to his chest and she found herself drawing small patterns across his skin.
Hermione sighed heavily and felt herself move with his body as she did. "I agree, 100%."
"You've thought about us, getting together then, yeah?"
Coughly slightly, she nodded her head and peered up at him, "yeah actually. I'd want to see how it would go, if you're willing."
Draco looked down at her sweat stricken face and moved a stray curl away from her face. "Am I willing, you say?"
Both started to laugh in their tangled mess. Hermione smiled even further and nodded once again, kissing the top of his shoulder before pecking him on the lips sweetly. Draco deepened that kiss further and squeezed her hip with a calloused hand.
"Why don't you take me to your bedroom so I can show you just how willing I am."
The End