Catalyst

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters.

For the second time in her life, Hermione Granger awoke to the unfamiliar and luxuriant setting of Malfoy Manor. This time, however, rather than waking alone in a guest bedroom, she found herself wrapped in a warm embrace, held tightly to the firm body of Draco Malfoy spooned against her backside. Judging from the rosy glow coming from the window, morning had broken. More to the point, nature was calling rather insistently, warranting a much-needed trip to the facilities. Squirming slightly, she attempted to gently free herself from his grasp, only to find the arms of her captor tightening around her. Huffing in frustration, she increased her efforts, attempting to pry his arms loose and failing miserably.

She wriggled around, turning in his arms as gracefully as she could to face him. She highly doubted that Draco was a morning person, making the prospect of waking him up a rather unattractive one. As she contemplated the most concise and painless manner of escape, she almost missed the flash of a grey eye peeking out at her.

“Malfoy,” she scolded. “Release me immediately.”

His eyes snapped open, fully awake and lit with humor. “Did you honestly think I would sleep through the experience of a beautiful naked woman writhing in ecstasy against me?”

“Writhing in agony more like; I need to use the loo.”

He looked unconcerned and made no apparent motions to release her.

“Malfoy, unless you want your exorbitantly priced bedding soaked with a bodily fluid other than the ones we freely exchanged last night, you will let me go. Right now.”

“Second door on the left,” he promptly responded, gesturing in the general direction and rolling aside. “Be quick about it. I’ve got plans for you,” he finished with a lazy smile.

She scrambled out of the bed, tossing him one last glare over her shoulder as she went and pulling the top sheet off of the bed, wrapped around her body. Given the massive size of his bedroom, it took longer than she would have liked to make her way to the door he had indicated. Once inside, the sheet was dropped and she bolted for the toilet.

As she washed her hands, she caught sight of her appearance in the mirror and groaned. Her hair had taken on a life of its own, falling down her back and around her shoulders in wild, frizzy curls. Her neck and chest were covered in love bites and her eyes were ringed by the dark remnants of her eyes makeup. Deciding that the situation warranted a quick shower before facing Draco again, she flicked on the taps and searched for an extra washcloth before hopping in.

She finished scrubbing away the rings under her eyes and reached for the bottle of what appeared to be cleansing gel.

“Started without me, did you?” Draco clucked disapprovingly, flinging the door open to the large marble shower and causing her to startle. “Not very considerate, Granger. I gave you what I considered to be ample time for your personals, waiting patiently for your return, when I heard the shower running and realized that my houseguest was taking advantage of my hospitality.”

He pushed past her into the spacious chamber. “Ah well. Would have liked to sleep a bit longer, but as the ever-accommodating host, I’m willing to adjust for you.”

“Malfoy…”

“Shove over Granger, I’m cold. Do I need to cover the basic points of proper group shower etiquette?”

“And just how many group showers have you had?” Her eyes narrowed at him.

“A fair few.” He turned from the hot spray of the shower to give her a winning smile. “Only one in the last few weeks.”

“And just who might have been the lucky lady?” Her tone dripped with ice. She was livid. It was true that they hadn’t been dating for long and had never discussed exclusivity, but given the events of the last few weeks and, more specifically, last night, she had considered it a safe assumption that he hadn’t been sleeping around lately.

He looked at her in disbelief. “Granger,” he began very slowly. “YOU are the lucky lady. And this scenario is getting stale. Rapidly. I have no interest in defending myself constantly from your suspicions.”

She paled slightly. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled, avoiding his eyes.

They stood together in silence, the steamy spray enveloping both of their bodies and turning their skin pink.

“Not good enough.” His expression was no longer hard, but resigned. “Do you trust me?” She hesitated slightly, opening her mouth to answer, but was cut off. “It’s a simple question Hermione. You either do or you don’t.”

She looked up, meeting his steely gaze, feeling tears welling up once more. She swiped at them, wondering absently when she had developed the trait of bursting into tears at the slightest provocation.

“I do, Draco.” Her voice cracked slightly as she spoke and she furiously willed herself to stay in control of her emotions. “I just don’t want to assume anything or take anything for granted. I know you, and I know about your romantic history, and I just don’t want to be naïve about this.”

He remained silent for what seemed like a long time, eyes shut as the warm spray beat down on him.

“I don’t know what you think you know about my romantic history, but I can tell you that I’ve never been unfaithful. It’s true that I’ve casually dated more than one woman at a time, but everyone was aware of the circumstances of the relationship and the rules went both ways. It’s also true that I’ve never dated any one for more than a few weeks, mainly because none of the women I’ve dated held any attraction for me beyond what could be explored during that period.”

He looked unrepentant even as he callously admitted her worst fear. Catching the growing anger in her expression, he rolled his eyes.

“I’m obviously not talking about you Granger.”

“How on earth do you consider that to be obvious?”

He looked extremely put out. “Do you honestly think that I would have put up with the bumbling matchmaking efforts of Potty and the Weasel, of all people, as well as your lunatic ravings and over-stimulated sense of imagination just to get you into bed? If all I wanted from you was sex, believe me,” he emphasized, “there would have been a much, much simpler way.”

She continued to glare, torn between righteous indignation at his assumption and a perversely flattered feeling. He sighed and continued.

“The reason that none of those other witches lasted was that not one of them meant anything to me. They couldn’t mean anything to me because there was nothing there. They didn’t care about anything, nothing real was important to them, or to me, for the longest time.”

“Then, suddenly you were thrown back into my life, and despite how often I wanted to hold your mouth shut and tell you to get lost, I realized it was actually quite refreshing to be around someone with that kind of capacity for passion. You care about absolutely everything, Granger,” he continued, sounding exasperated.

“And I won’t say it doesn’t annoy me at times. But it also makes you who you are. And it makes you one of a kind, which makes you very important to me.” He was watching her with more affection now. “It would be impossible for me to ever fully exhaust my attraction to you, because it goes far beyond the physical.” He looked thoughtful for a moment. “I wouldn’t mind trying though, as far as the physical side of the relationship goes.” He looked so serious that she had to laugh.

“I’m sorry.” Her voice was so soft that he almost didn’t hear it.

He gathered her into his arms, holding her close in the steamy shower for several long moments before releasing her.

Something he said mentioned had bothered her. It was on the edge of her consciousness, but she couldn’t figure it out. Ticking through various points he had mentioned, it suddenly dawned on her what was wrong. Her eyes widened in panic.

“Harry and Ron!” she groaned aloud.

Draco turned to her, arching an eyebrow. “It’s a good thing we weren’t just in the throws of passion, Granger. I wouldn’t have taken kindly to you calling out not one, but two other men’s names.”

She was not amused, casting a stern glance in his direction. She rinsed her hair as quickly as possible, explaining her train of thought.

“You apparated both of us away last night without explaining anything. As far as they know, you kidnapped me and chained me up in your dungeons.”

Draco’s expression was a bit too pensive for her.

“You aren’t going to chain me to your dungeons. Ever. I don’t care how much you like the idea. Now I have to go let them know I’m alright before they send aurors after me. Actually I’m surprised that they haven’t turned up yet.”

* * * * * * * * * *

“You weren’t worried at all?”

Harry’s smile was guilty as he shrugged, his shoulders just evident through the floo call. “We figured you were alright if you were with Malfoy.”

“But he apparated me away without my permission. And I was angry with him! He’d been with another woman! You didn’t worry that it might not be the best plan to just let him take me against my will?”

“Take you?!”

“Away, Harry. Not take in the sense of romance novels.”

“Oh…. Good. But he didn’t hurt you, right?” He was beginning to look more worried now, concerned that he’d made a grave mistake.

“Of course not,” she replied without thinking.

Harry smiled at her. “Exactly why we weren’t worried,” he pointed out gently.

“Aren’t you even a bit curious as to why he was with that woman? That really didn’t concern you at all?”

He shrugged. “I figured that there was some explanation for it. Business, family… Since you’re calling me from his house, I’m assuming that he set you straight.” His smile was decidedly wicked now.

“You could say that, Potter.” The slow aristocratic drawl came from the doorway. Draco was leaning against the doorframe, an arrogant smile on his face. “I think I set quite a few things straight last night.” He sauntered into the room, purposefully ignoring the death glare Hermione was bestowing upon him.

“I don’t recall inviting you to join the conversation, Malfoy.” Her eyes were narrowed into slits.

“Now that’s hardly fair, ‘Mione. It’s his house, after all.” Harry’s expression was innocent.

“Yes, Granger.” Draco assumed an expression of deep hurt. “You’d best be cautious or I may mistakenly infer that you don’t want me around.”

“It wouldn’t be a mistake,” came the snapped retort from the irate witch.

“Hermione.” Harry’s voice was reproachful, but his green eyes were alight with humor as he watched the two together. “I’d best be off. I’ll let Ginny and Ron know that you’re okay.”

“Not that any of you noticed or cared that I’d been robbed of my freedom of choice in the matter,” she retorted, mustering up as much irritation as she could under the circumstances. Harry’s disappeared from the fireplace and she turned back to Draco.

“Come on Granger. Breakfast time. My parents are eagerly awaiting the pleasure of your company.”

“How do they know I’m here?” Hermione was looking very shocked indeed. “Do they know I was here last night?”

“Please,” he scoffed. “As if it’s possible to keep something like that from them. And, in answer to your second question, of course they know, and they are most likely beside themselves with delight. They haven’t looked this smug since they outsmarted the ministry into releasing my father upon society once more.”

* * * * * * * * *

Hermione dressed carefully, choosing from the large selection of ensembles brought for her perusal by the house elves. She was reluctant to accept the fruits of their servitude, but appeased her conscience slightly by asking their opinions, complimenting each on the wisdom of their choices. Draco watched the proceedings skeptically, having flat-out refused her request to go home and change, imperiously informing her that the Manor was well-equipped for overnight guests.

“Are you sure I look okay?” Hermione was quite uneasy. It was an unusual situation, to say the least, to dine with one’s lover’s parents the morning after the first romantic liaison, made more awkward by the fact that his parents were undoubtedly not only aware of the situation, but delighted. She wanted to look pretty, but was more than a little self-conscious, choosing to emphasize modesty above anything else. It had been more than evident on her previous visit that his parents needed no encouragement in overstepping boundaries, and she was hoping to avoid another informative lecture by Narcissa. More importantly, she didn’t know if she could tolerate any further innuendo on the part of Lucius.

“Yes, yes,” Draco replied impatiently, “you look lovely.” He grabbed her arm, essentially dragging her from the room and leading her to the dining room.

Most parents turn a blind eye to the intimate lives of their children. While they know on some level that their beloved sons and daughters have experienced the more carnal aspects of relationships, they choose to push that idea into a relatively remote portion of their subconscious, remaining in blissful ignorance.

Lucius and Narcissa, on the other hand, were grinning like Cheshire cats as their son pulled his latest conquest into the dining room.

“Good morning, darlings. You’re both looking radiant; I trust you slept well.” Narcissa finished with an overt wink in Hermione’s direction.

Hermione felt her face heating up and hurriedly sat down, taking a sip of her juice before responding. “Fine, thanks.”

Folding up the paper, Lucius leaned back in his chair and observed his son with a proud smile. Hermione rolled her eyes and cleared her throat pointedly.

“So,” Lucius began, “how did the meeting go? You returned earlier than we expected.”

“Negotiations were simpler than I expected. I’m meeting with Chantal again today, just to show her around our main branch.”

Hermione struggled valiantly to keep her annoyance from showing. She didn’t need to add another jealous scene to the list of events of the last few days. Feeling Draco’s eyes on her, she looked up to see him watching her, a slightly challenging look on his face, as if daring her to comment. Narcissa watched the two keenly.

“Did you meet Chantal, Hermione?” Her face was the picture of innocence.

“No.” Hermione forced a smile. “I didn’t have the pleasure.”

“Granger caught the tail end of our meeting last night.”

“So then you at least saw her,” Narcissa commented. “Never in my life have I seen such a shameless hussy or witnessed such brazen behavior.” She paused, stretching one elegant arm out to help herself to a piece of fruit. “I’d admire her if she wasn’t so common.” She sniffed dismissively.

Hermione couldn’t control her snort of laughter at this. Narcissa looked up approvingly and winked again, more subtly this time. Hermione decided that having Draco’s mum in her corner may actually turn out to be quite useful. She glanced back to Draco, surprised to see his grey eyes gleaming with humor as he watched her with an affectionate smile on his handsome face.

“I think it’s safe to say that Hermione shared your sentiments, Mother. She was quite put out with me, to say the very least, before I set the record straight.”

None too subtly, Narcissa and Lucius exchanged a glance.

“I’m quite sure you did.” Lucius looked smug. “Anyhow, I was thinking perhaps I should accompany you today, help show her around the grounds, seeing as I’m free today.”

Draco nodded his agreement and continued eating. Hermione beamed at the idea of a chaperone, while Narcissa looked distinctly irritated, narrowing her eyes at her husband.

“Anyhow,” she began loudly, “What are your plans for the day, Narcissa? Perhaps we ought to spend some time together.” She was beginning to enjoy the company of the manipulative older woman and had definitely come to see the advantages of having her support.

Narcissa’s expression was elated as she began suggesting activities. Lucius looked vaguely amused. Draco went pale as he watched the two women with an expression of utter horror.

* * * * * * * * *




Hermione collapsed onto her sofa, pleasantly exhausted. Narcissa had proved to be good company, sharing Draco’s dry humor with an especially pronounced wicked streak. As the day progressed, Hermione found herself increasingly grateful to be on the older witch’s good side. After touring the grounds of the manor, Hermione had been treated to a viewing of the complete Malfoy photo archives with a running commentary by Narcissa.

They’d finished the day by going out for an early dinner and doing some idle shopping in Diagon Alley, including a visit to a posh store where Narcissa helped Hermione select some new formal robes. She’d insisted that she would make sure her son’s eyes never strayed from Hermione again. Hermione wasn’t sure that this was possible, or even desirable, but it was a nice sentiment all the same, and the robes really were quite classy and very flattering.

“I’m so glad that this day is over.”

Hermione’s eyes flew open at the sound of the familiar drawl. Draco had evidently come through the floo, and was standing in front of the fireplace, brushing imaginary soot off of his immaculate clothing. He leaned in to drop a kiss on her lips and she felt her heart flutter slightly as his familiar masculine scent washed over her.

“How did it go?” She cuddled up to him as he sat down.

“As was expected. We closed the deal. Oh, and you’ve nothing to worry about from Chantal anymore. She was quite taken with my father. Didn’t give me a second glance, actually.” He shrugged, looking a bit perturbed.

“Well… Your father IS an extremely handsome man.” She gave him a look of wide-eyed innocence.

He scowled at her.

“But I definitely prefer the newer model,” she whispered as she scooted into his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck and brushing her lips against his cheek as her fingers threaded through his silky blond strands.

He softened visibly, pulling her closer and kissing her more deeply. No longer hesitant, her hands roamed freely over his body as she delighted in the sensation of being in his arms once more. They broke apart slightly, gasping for air.

“Hermione?”

“Yes?” Her voice was breathy with desire.

“What did you and my mum do today?” He sounded very worried.

She stared at him, pulling away further. “What?”

“I mean, you guys didn’t talk about me, right?”

“Of course we did,” she snapped irritably. “How much do you think your mum and I have in common. The range of topics was a bit limited, you know.”

“I mean, she didn’t embarrass you, did she?” His grey eyes were concerned. “About what happened last night? I just know how she is, and she means well, but she has been known to overstep personal boundaries, occasionally, and I didn’t want her to upset you.”

Hermione melted back into his embrace, snuggling deeper into his arms. “Who would have guessed that Draco Malfoy would turn out to be so sweet?”

“Sweet?” He sounded horrified.

“That’s right.”

“Look, Granger, I just didn’t want her messing my chances up for a repeat performance tonight. I knew that if she embarrassed you too much, you wouldn’t be up for it. Simple as that, really.”

She laughed and stood, casting what she hoped was a seductive glance over her shoulder before heading for the bedroom. Apparently it was close enough, as he followed hot on her heels, pushing her onto the bed with strong hands and kissing her breathless. She tugged at his clothes, impatient for the feeling of his skin against hers.

He laughed softly, pulling out of reach and working his way down her body. Upon reaching the juncture of her legs, he pushed her dress up over her thighs and paused to look up at her. Her luxuriant curls were spread wildly across the pillows, her dark eyes wide and intent, watching for his next move. He stroked her thighs, running his hands over the creamy skin, moving ever closer to the lace of her panties.

Finally pushing the lace aside, he leaned in slowly, spreading her legs apart, intent upon pleasuring her in ways they’d been too impatient for the previous evening.

He suddenly found his head knocked away abruptly. He looked up in confusion. She had locked her legs together suddenly, lifting her knees. Slightly hysterical giggles were escaping her mouth, her expression a cross between mortification and amusement.

“I’m sorry,” she gasped.

He gave her a stern look, rolled his eyes, and gently parted her legs once more, leaving his hands on her thighs this time, holding them apart and he leaned in.

Once again he found himself thrown backwards with the force of her legs slamming closed and her body curling inwards slightly.

“Granger.” He was getting irritated. “It isn’t going to hurt you know. In fact, many women consider it to be quite pleasurable.”

She had curled in farther, nearly in the fetal position now.

“It’s not that.”

“Then what?” He tried to keep the impatience out of his voice.

“You don’t have to. There are lots of other things we could do, and that kind of tickles. Last night was wonderful, brilliant really, so there’s no need for this if….”

He cut off her panicked ramblings. “Hermione. I. Want. To. Do. This.” He stared into her eyes, his expression intent, pouring all of his longing for her into his silver gaze and hoping that she would believe him. “Now open up.”

Reluctantly, she did, allowing her legs to fall open again at the insistence of his hands. Before she had a chance to re-think things, he leaned in and began stroking his tongue against her, first teasing her entrance, then probing more insistently at her folds and the little bundle of nerves.

Hermione was lightheaded. She’d gasped at the first touch of his tongue, his breath hot against her most sensitive area. She’d gasped as he pushed inside, and again when he’d begun lapping at her clit. When he’d slid a finger inside her wet channel, her mouth had fallen totally open, panting. She was fairly certain that she was hyperventilating but couldn’t bring herself to stop gulping in air. Finally, she felt the coil of tension snap as she screamed, her hips bucking under the skillful lapping of Draco’s tongue.

Gradually the fuzziness receded and she became aware of Draco kissing his way back up her body, placing open-mouthed kisses across and up her torso, breasts, shoulders and neck.

“Not so bad, was it?” His smile was smug.

She smiled, feeling more than a bit bashful about facing him. Her eyes were involuntarily drawn to his lips, noting their slightly swollen state with fascination. She could feel herself blushing under his gaze.

“Do you know how good you taste?” His voice was deep with desire as he pushed himself against her hip, letting her feel his raging erection. “I’m so hard for you right now.”

She yanked at his clothes, pulling his shirt roughly over his head and attacking the rest of his clothing. He stood, shedding the remaining garments in record time. Pulling back into her bed, Hermione sighed with contentment at the weight of his muscular frame pushing her into the mattress once more. She rocked her hips against him, seeking the throbbing erection, and he groaned helplessly into her neck as she ground against it, shifting his hips to plunge inside of her.

He was dangerously close to the edge, consumed by the sensation of Hermione’s taste, her scent, her breathy little whimpers, and the feeling of her wrapped around him. Their pace was more frenzied than yesterday, both of them rapidly becoming frantic with need. Hermione crested first, close on the heels of her first orgasm. Pulled over the edge by the rhythmic contractions of her tight channel, Draco followed, spilling himself deep into her and burying his face in her neck and whispering his adoration of her as he came. They collapsed into a heap, Draco rolling off of her slightly and kissing her gently.

It was only after their breathing had slowed and they’d both begun to drift off to sleep that they heard the yowl of indignation. Draco cracked one eye open to see the enormous ginger cat leap onto the bed, surveying the situation with disapproval before settling in roughly. He glared at Crookshanks, willing him to leave, but was too tired to do anything but drift off to sleep with Hermione snuggled in his arms and Crookshanks sprawled across their feet.


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