Care to Play?

As graduation neared, Hermione and Draco continued to meet once a week. Hermione didn’t try to countermove his kiss. He had said checkmate and that meant he won. Hermione smiled at the thought. She had started this game, but he had won.



She opened Tonk’s letter and read it again.



‘Hermione, I know I said that it would have been a nice diversion for you if he responded to your plays, but it seems to me that you have received more then a diversion and I couldn’t be happier. It’s not everyday that you find really good sex, but to find someone you can connect with at the same time is a rare thing indeed. He may have ended the game but for the past several months you have not needed it. Enjoy what you have until you graduate and figure it out then. If you decide to tell him why you started this in the first place, aside from what you have already said, then that is your choice and I think he will respect it. If you confess you thought it would end the taunting, I think he just may understand. The future is yours Hermione, you have earned it. Tonks’



She thought about the letters she had received from Tonks throughout the year and was grateful to have had the woman’s confidence.



Graduation was nearing and neither her nor Draco had spoken of what would happen after they left Hogwarts., Hermione was almost afraid to mention it. She didn’t like the uncertainty of it all.



The kiss had been all the school had talked about for a full month after Draco had done it. Neither of them commented at all to anyone who asked. They weren’t seen in public together and paired in class only when teachers put them together. The entire school wondered what had made it happen but the rumor that was believed was that Draco was dared to kiss her in front of the school. Without anything else to fuel the fire, the talk died down.



She entered the room of requirement and found Draco sitting in an armchair, staring into the fire the room created. He was lost in thought and she could see something was on his mind. Something important.



“Hello.” She said walking up to sit in the chair next to him. “What’s the matter, and don’t say nothing, I’ve come to recognize those looks of yours.”



He chuckled. “My father spoke with me through Snape‘s fire.” He said quietly. “He wants to arrange a marriage for me after graduation.” His face was devoid of any emotion.



“I see. And I take it you would rather not marry.” She said, but inside she was sad. Not for herself, she had come to the conclusion that this would not carry on and she was not about to throw a selfish tantrum.



“No I’d rather not.” He said, shaking his head.



“Does he have someone in mind?” Hermione asked.



“He does. A daughter of a close friend and associate of his. I’ve meet her all of three times in my life, the last being between second and third year.”



“Does she want to get married?” Hermione was curious as to how far this discussion with Draco’s father had gone.



“She will do what she’s told.” Draco said scoffing.



“You don’t like that?” She asked.



“She has no backbone, I could walk all over her.” He stood up and began pacing the room. “She has no opinion, no views, no intelligence. She gets passable marks in school but other then that she would do anything I told her to and give no argument, she has no fight.”



“I don’t fight you?” She said. Draco turned and looked at her. Her teasing smile made him smile too.



“No you don’t, but you also don’t agree with everything I say, you don’t let me control you in every way, you don’t ask my opinion on what you should do. You have ambitious, intelligence, and courage, you don’t let people put you in places, and you don’t let people control you.”



“Is that what you want in a woman?” She asked. “A woman who is spirited?”



“A woman who is alive. She’s a doll Hermione, a doll to wear on my arm when needed. A woman like that has no fire, no passion. I want an equal partnership. A marriage with someone I can share things with, form a life with, a woman I can love.”



“Can you refuse?” She asked. “It’s not like you can be forced.”



“I can refuse, it would be insulting my parents choice, and it would insult his friend daughter, but yes I can refuse. It’s a long standing pure blood tradition and one that not too many families practice. Well except my family.” He began pacing again.



“Draco,” she stood and walked over to him, “refuse if you want. Making other people happy is not your responsibility. How about a massage?” She knew when she saw his smile that he was going to feel better.



Draco loved her massages and it wasn’t long before she was riding him in a sweaty mass until they came one right after the other crying out during their release. They laid on their backs on the bed letting their bodies clam down.



“You always seems to find a way to make me feel better.” He said, holding her hand to his chest.



“How about a game of chess?” She said, rising up on her elbow.



He looked over at her in confusion. “I thought we were past that?” He said.



“We are.” She pulled away and as she leaned over the bed to fetch something Draco ran his hand over her ass. He had taken to admiring her posterior any time he could and seeing her like this was a turn on for him. He felt himself hardening again and while she was busy, rose up behind her and entered her from behind.



“Draco!” She cried out but held onto the bed anyway. Draco gripped her hips firmly so she wouldn’t fall off the bed. He drove hard and deep. This was pure lust, that was all. Hermione was nowhere near coming and she probably wouldn’t. She allowed him this at times and he loved it.



He fucked harder and harder and came quickly. Letting his body drop back on the bed he continued to hold her ass in his palm. “Thank you my dear.”



Hermione looked over her shoulder and chuckled. “Your welcome.” She retrieved what she was looking for and after a few moments of moving around she laid down at his side. “Ok, look.” She said.



He turned over and laughed when he found a chess board set up and floating on magic to keep it steady. “A game of chess huh?” He asked.



“Yes, why not?” She said laughing.



Naked chess was something Draco could get used to and he actually found himself concentrating on the game. Hermione had become a very comfortable presence and he relaxed immediate around her. When he won, he took his king and gave it to her. “Here you can keep this.” He said with a wink.



She laughed and took it, then vanished the game. “How do you feel about me?” He asked. His question stunned her. Their feelings for each other was something they didn’t discuss. She wondered at his reasons now. Looking at his face she could see it was something he needed to know. Maybe this whole marriage thing his father brought up was what caused it.



She sat up and he did the same facing her and waiting patiently. She started to speak but then stopped and thought again. “Hermione, just say what’s on your mind. You said before that in this room we don’t have to worry about hurting feelings. Just tell me what you think and feel. That’s all I ask.”



She felt better and looked at him. “I wouldn’t say I’m in love with you. There’s not that ‘I can’t live without you’ feeling.” He nodded. “I do care about you Draco, I can admit that readily. I care about your happiness, and I enjoy very much being with you. I have never had a lover before. I’ve had a boyfriend and I’ve had sex but not this way.”



His small smile warmed her. “Draco when I first started this, I had a reason for doing so. I was tired of all the teasing and taunting so a friend suggested that if I came onto you it might stop.”



He chuckled. “I was confused at first.” He said.



“Well, I was surprised that you started playing back but I’m glad you did. I’ve come to feel strongly for you Draco and I’m happy that we have had what we’ve had. You have become something special to me, very special.”



“You’ve become special to me too.” He admitted. “I think about you all the time. Hermione what will happen after graduation?” He asked. It was the question she had been avoiding.



“I don’t know.” She said honestly. “I have told myself not to expect anything. That me and you will have our time here and then we will go on. I won’t pressure you for something, and I won’t make demands.”



He nodded and Hermione thought he might be depressed and she felt bad. “I know, I won’t make any either. This has been wonderful.” He told her, holding out his arms. “It will be sad to end it.” He said, kissing her head.



“Well Draco who knows, the future cant be predicted, not matter what Trelawney says.” She cuddled up next to him. “I know it will be hard for you to try and continue this.”



He was silent for a long time. “Yes, it would be difficult.” Then he was silent again.



Hermione could do nothing more then hold him.