Curse of a Kiss

Chapter 12

The Actual Date

 

"Draco Malfoy did you send me ruddy roses and a poem in the middle of class??!! Have you lost-" Hermione froze two steps into his private room and her mouth dropped open. The accused looked up from the table, placing the cutlery he was polishing back down and looked irritated. She tried to push some words out of her mouth but nothing came, just air. The room had been decorated, red and black drapes putting the dining table into it's own small space as well as closing off the sitting room couch to make the fire more cozy. 

There were flowers -everywhere- of all colors and sizes in odd vases and containers. It reminded her of Dobby trying to make a place presentable, using anything he could think of to make things proper. Draco straightened up and snapped his fingers, lighting the candles around the space, some dangerously close to the flowers. "It wasn't my idea," his face looked handsome in the light even with a smirk on his face. He gestured behind him, "It was Tilly and Bea."

"Who!?" She stepped in and moved a candle further away from the drapes by the bookshelf. She leapt in surprise when Bea's ghostly head poked through the curtain, her face light up with delight and then frowning deeply when she looked her over. 

"You were supposed to dress nicely, bookworm." She zoomed around her in a circle and looked back at Draco, "She can't even follow instructions."

Hermione bristled, "I can! But I don't listen to orders from this git! Who are you?" 

"Beatrice Button! Bea if you please! This was my chambers! I didn't think they would ever put anyone in here after the wreck of curses Peeves put on this floor. I've been spending time with Mr. Odd name here." Her ghostly eyes flash in excitement somehow, "he's been telling me-"

"Nothing!" Draco tried to shove her away but went straight through her and into the bookshelf, grabbing the candelabra before it fell off. "I've been telling her nothing!" He straightened up and Bea zipped off. Draco coughed and motioned to her, "You didn't even change out of your uniform." 

She pretended not to notice the dismay in his tone and crossed her arms. "Well, no. I came right here- I was so furious. I can't possibly face Harry or Ron tonight and Ginny nearly followed me the whole way here!" She narrowed her eyes when his face brightened for a moment. "W-Was that your plan? To make me stay the night??" 

He threw his hands up in surrender. "No! Of course not! I was only trying to give you a proper date! Honest!" She glared harder before she sighed and uncrossed her arms. 

"Well, I'm not going to go change now." She was irritated but at least the potion was working and there wouldn't be any more embarrassing moments together. Not to say she hated the encounter earlier, in fact, it had been quite enthralling. She had never felt like such a goddess as when he was purring between her thighs how amazing she was. The fact that she was also held in his arms and protected, not just from his roommate but their professor as well, felt like things shifted inside her. Like he had cracked her heart by pushing into it, making room for himself; beautiful pain in her tiny world. 

Draco looked her up and down and circled her slowly, making her nervous as he clucked his tongue against his teeth. "I can do something here. Take off your robe." She gave him a sidelong glance but did as he asked, dropping her school cloak over the couch arm. "And your tie," he shot a wink at her, rolling his sleeves up as she rolled her eyes. Then his wand went to work. 

Her shirt cinched at her waist, buttons disappearing while the sleeves became long and flowing, her school skirt becoming a long length pencil skirt and with one more whispered incantation, her socks became stockings with little pink bows on the tops of her thighs. She sneered at him when she noticed and he raised his eyebrow with a nonchalant shrug. "A little something to match your knickers." 

"How do you know I haven't changed them since this morning?" She quipped and examined the rest of her outfit, avoiding eye contact. 

He moved behind her and let his fingertips slide over the tiny bows, "I can tell," he spoke softly against her ear and she smacked his hands away. 

"Stop playing. Or I'll walk right out of here. I'd rather spend the evening on Hagrid's stone sofa than with you if you can't keep your head." She glanced at her robes, knowing that her pockets held the potion Dumbledore gave her. She was curious if she would be effected by him while he wasn't feeling the curse himself. She knew she needed to take it, but a bit longer to see if this is her feeling flattered or if she's flustered because he is still flirting despite his curse. She moved about the room, aware he was staring at her while she made certain the candles won't catch on the flowers or drapes. "This is quite lovely, though."

"Oh," he clapped his hands together in excitement and his long legs carried him back to the table in a few short steps. He picked up a bottle and twisted the cork out, sloshing a deep red wine into two wine glasses. "Hope you like red wine! It's all I had in my room." She put her hands on her hips. 

"We aren't supposed to be drinking. We aren't old enough." He rolled his eyes as he moved back to her and pushed the glass into her hand. 

"Like breaking rules is new to you. You realize in other countries, young adults have wine with dinner alongside their parents. Relax, Granger, we aren't getting sloshed. Have a taste - It's my favorite." He took a sip of his own and kept his eyes locked on her as she tentatively tried it. It was sweet but not overpoweringly like most red wine's she had tried. She liked it, but she wasn't about to tell him that.

"It's fine." she scoffed and continued her mission while sneaking little sips. "What about your uniform? Aren't you going to dress proper, too? Little bows to match?" He cocked his head to the side and fussed around his pocket to pull a handkerchief and transfigured it into a bowtie. He tried to tie it by hand but when she noticed he was struggling, she pulled her wand from her robe and tied it for him. He held his arms out for inspection so she crossed closer and tugged on the edges of his tie with her fingers. "Lovely. It's lucky your uniform looks so nice already. I'm a perpetual schoolgirl in mine. Ruddy founders."

"No complaints from here. I've always been a fan of the slightly disheveled uniform." His lips quirked up with a slight smirk and she scoffed, taking another sip of her wine. 

"So, you got to gab with that ghost, Bea? Did she say why this floor had been emptied?" Draco shook his head and leaned onto the arm of the couch. 

"Only the something about Peeves clearing the place. How about McGonagall? Any hope for me to leave this dreaded room? I'm worried Theo will get up to no good- like poking about my things."

She sank into the couch next to him, "No. I didn't get the chance, what with the poem-" she crossed her ankles, giving herself a moment to admire the sharp shape of his jaw in the soft light of the fire. He swirled his glass and took another drink, making her notice he let it sit on his tongue for a moment before swallowing. He didn't say anything but he raised an eyebrow and looked at her from the corner of his eye. "It was quite terrible" she pressed.

"Well, I didn't write it. Bea and Tilly insisted on- all of this really. I suppose I owe you after all of this mess so-" he shrugged his shoulders, "I allowed it. The poem was rubbish, though. I can do better in my sleep." 

She pressed her lips together to cover a chuckle, "Can you? I seriously doubt that." 

Draco pushed his nose into the air, swirling his wine in his glass, "I admire fine wine, fine art and fine literature, Granger. I can do a poem if I wanted to." 

"If inspiration struck?" She teased.

"I'm certain I could."

"You seem the type to be inspired by your broomstick. 'Ode to my firebolt' featuring Potter sucks," She muttered into her glass and he laughed loudly, clutching his chest and heaving for breath as she stared, bewildered. 

"Thinking about my 'broomstick' and we've not even started dinner yet?" He wiped a tear from his eye and slid down the arm and onto the sofa, crowding her space and throwing his arm over her shoulder, pulling her into his side.

Hermione blushed furiously and squirmed, thankful when he released her and she jumped from the couch. "That's not what I meant!" She met his laughing eyes and instantly scrambled over to the other side of the couch for her potion. As she fiddled with her cloak, digging in the pockets he tilted his head at her with his smile still on his lips but fading quickly. 

"You didn't take yours before you came?" He blinked slowly at her and then the potion in her hands as she struggled to uncork and drink it. She cringed when she washed it down with more wine, a terrible taste.

"I didn't. I was trying to see if I would be affected without being - erm."

"Pursued?" He offered, the smirk flitting across his face again. "Sorry to further irritate, Granger. It seems I've become quite comfortable around you. All that time spent with me can have an effect on people, so I've heard." He glanced back at the table when a -pop- sounded and plates appeared for them. He stood with a chuckle and straightened his bowtie. "You realize now that you have taken that, the only excuse is that you actually like me chatting you up?" 

Hermione scowled at him as she moved to the table, reaching for a seat. He grabbed her chair a second before she could and pulled it out for her. "Oh no, you're getting the whole treatment." She hummed and squinted at him.

"Don't I feel lucky. This isn't some Italian village but I guess it's acceptable." She teased. 

He leaned down and murmured into her ear. "Ah, the villa comes later. It's a bit much for a first date, don't you think?"

She spluttered into her wine glass and he snickered again, moving to take his seat across from her and she copied the way he puts his napkin in his lap and she delicately picked up her fork. She hadn't been on a date that wasn't a quidditch game. All the effort Draco was going through was surprisingly flattering and even more so, surprising that he was 'himself' and still being nice to her. 

"I've never been on a date, Draco. Not like this." She whispered and immediately loathed that she blushed brightly, her face flaming hot at the admission. She sees the gears turn in his head as he finished his wine and pours another glass before he replied. 

"I'll be honest, I've not either. Not alone at least, I've been on-" he scrunched his nose up. "betrothal dinners with my family. Meeting potential partners but it seems mother has given up for now." He subconsciously itched his left forearm and she had the sudden realization of what that action meant. He met her eyes and they briefly flashed with panic at her; she thinks he has just remembered who he was speaking to as well. Harry and Ron had been suspicious all year but there hadn't been any evidence she found acceptable.

"Are you-? I mean, I never really thought ab-" 

"I'm not talking about Death Eaters at dinner, Granger. Literally, any other topic." He stabbed his food a little aggressively and it made her swallow nervously. His face was stone again and she wished she hadn't made such a quick connection without even thinking about it.

"Alright." She took her time chewing a bite so she could think and when she finally decided on a different topic of conversation, he had softened from his hard expression. "What did you think of my book? The one that you stole?" 

The lazy smirk on his lips relaxed her again as he took another bite of food and tapped his lips with the napkin before he answered. "It was ridiculous, as I've said but," he points his fork at her. "It had some interesting moves I hadn't considered before. Like the trick with the ice? I can't wait to try that." her face flamed again when he winked at her.

'The trick with the ice' was the love interest giving the main character oral with an ice cube in his mouth and she felt like she was going to burst from embarrassment. "You- I erm. Yes. Well," she cleared her throat and stood quicker than she meant, the chair scraping loudly. "Washroom? Where can I uhm..?" 

The look he gives her makes her squeeze her thighs together. "Need to reapply your lipstick?" he waves his hand toward the curtain behind him, through the bedroom and as she passed by, he reached out to let his fingers touch her arm. "I'll have my own question when you return. I hope you're ready." 

She splashed water on her face and glared at herself in the mirror. What was she thinking? She accepted dinner with a literal snake, how could she be surprised at his behavior? At least they had been keeping their hands to themselves, as he mentioned earlier and she tried to think up questions to ask him or topics to discuss since they could speak finally without the brain fog.

She unlatched the door and heard the -pop- of a house elf and took a calming breath as she moved back to the big curtain and pulled it to the side. He had been standing next to the table and was picking up her wine glass to hand it to her when she set eyes on him again. She took a drink, holding it on her tongue like she saw him do and his eyes sharpened, staring at her lips.

"Topped you up. That's the last of the wine. Ready for my question?" He pulled her chair out again and then sat back in his seat, adjusting himself and his napkin before he met her eyes. She nodded. "Want to play truth or dare?" 

He took a long pull of his wine and she took the last few bites of her food and let him stew in his impatience, his family ring tapping against the stem of his glass. When she swallowed and patted her lips with her napkin, the plates disappeared and a dessert appeared. She glanced at him with a raised eyebrow, "Why would I ever play that with you?" 

The chocolate raspberry cake was decadent. She really could only eat a couple of bites but that didn't stop the satisfied moan as she took her first spoonful. She secretly memorized the way his face changed at the noise before a smirk moved slowly up his lips. "How about just truth, then?" 

He pushed his plate to the center of the table and cast a quick charm to cover it, staring at her face so intently she knew he was up to something. She drank from her glass but continued to glare at him. "Playing games with a Slytherin is never as straight forward as that." 

He chuckled and swirled his glass again, looking into it before draining the last dregs. "So clever. It's why I like you so much."

Her head tilted at him, brow furrowed. "What??"

Draco shrugged and showed her his empty glass. "I've given us a little Veritaserum- to keep us both honest. We lie to each other enough as it is. I've finished mine but you probably won't be effected until you finish your glass." 

She couldn't believe him, drugging her and himself! Yet, of course she could, this was Malfoy and he made a Malfoy move. Although, his admittance was likely because of the truth serum, she appreciated being given the option, even if he watched her drink from the spiked glass. She squinted at him and decided to test if he really had taken it. 

"Did you take the Mark?"

His eyes turned furious but glazed as he gritted his teeth. "Yes. Regretfully. I didn't have a choice." He worked his jaw and suddenly picked up his wine glass to throw it across the room to smash into pieces. She winced. "Satisfied?" 

Her nose twitched a little and she bit her lip. Well, that settles it. She tipped the last of the wine down her throat and thumped it onto the table. She stood and flicked her wand to clean the glass from his outburst. 

"Why haven't you tried to shag me yet?" 

"Incredible self control." He followed her to his feet and leaned into the table, his eyes still glassy but a smile on his face as he licked his lips. She noticed his were a pretty red from the wine as he motioned his hand toward the cozy couch and fire but didn't wait for her to move. He slid down onto the center and flicked his wand to add a log to the flames before placing it on the shelf behind him.

She hesitated, looking at his relaxed posture, arm sprawled along the back and he righted his sleeves, an anxious tick. "Now that you know I've told the truth, ask another question. We can go back and forth. What do you want to know?" She sat and tucked her legs under her, leaning toward him naturally before she realized and then leaned away instead. 

"When did you make a Veritaserum?" 

Draco rolled his eyes at her. "I didn't. I took it from the potions closet - directly in front of you, don't you remember?" There was a teasing tone but she tried to bring her memory back. The only thing that keeps surfacing is him leaning his body over her and kissing her so incredibly softly in front of Ginny. Why the hells was that exciting to her? 

"I don't remember it, no." She chose her words carefully, the slight pull to answer the entirety of her thoughts just weak enough to keep from tumbling out. "What's the biggest rule you've broken?"

"I suppose shagging in the corridor - not all of us break rules as often as you and Potter." he brushed his thumb over his nose and she actually felt disappointed. For one, it definitely hadn't been her he broke that particular rule with and for two, she could top that with ease. She thought it was boring and told him so. 

"How boring," She looked coyly at him and fiddled with the bow on her stockings. He looked insulted.

"Well, how about you, Miss Goodie Granger? What's the biggest rule you've broken?" He crossed his arms and pursed his lips, pouting like a child and she tried not to giggle.

The grin that spread across her face was the cat that ate the canary. "There is a few. Firstly, I used a time turner to attend more classes in third year but that was approved by McGonagall so it probably doesn't count. I brewed a Polyjuice Potion during 2nd year and helped Harry and Ron sneak into your common rooms." His mouth dropped for a split second. "You let them in, by the way. And I have a very rare dragon egg at home that Bill Weasley sent to me over summer. It won't hatch, though." 

"I- um. Why did you sneak into the dungeons?" She shrugged lightly. 

"The boys thought you were the one attacking people. Gave you far too much credit, I thought." He hummed thoughtfully, bending his arm to put his fist to his head. 

"I can understand. I was quite a devious little wizard. And that doesn't count, I've got another question." 

"It does too count! You asked a question so it's my turn!" 

"I asked for clarification on an answer, it doesn't count as a new question. That's the rules, rule-breaker." He winked at her and she rolled her eyes. 

"You're ridiculous." 

"I know, I'm just so charming." He brushed a hand through his hair and gave her a lopsided smile, his eyes sparked a bit and threw her off focus. "In the interest of reflecting the past, when that hippogriff in Care of Magical Creatures, butt-tweak, tried to eat me. Were you more worried about me or the bird? Or Hagrid?"

"Buckbeak mainly, he didn't deserved to be punished because of you. But I also know you were being an idiot and I wanted to be certain you would be alright as well. Couldn't have my favorite git lied up in the infirmary, could I?"

"Did you fancy me, then? I can't imagine anyone going out of their way unless you fancied me." He looked insulted when she snorted from laughing. 

She fell back against the couch, shaking and tried to cover her mouth and stop the laughter but the more annoyed he looked, the harder she wanted to laugh. "Merlin, no! You are awful!"

"Well-! Awful? Really?" 

"You were awful. I'm sorry I didn't mean it to come across so bad. Honest, stop looking like a kicked puppy!" She shoved at his shoulder and he cracked a smile again. 

"No hard feelings. Have you had alcohol before? Your cheeks are quite flush. I imagined you'd get the giggles after a few glasses but-." He touched her cheek with his knuckles and she blushed even harder, she's sure of it. 

"Well, yes. A few times. I'm not all that fond but your wine really grows on you."

"Much like myself." He summoned glasses over to them from the table and filled them with water. "Here. You should have a bit of water to stop the hangover since you've never had so much before." 

She cleared her throat after drinking a hefty amount and licked her lips. "Okay, here's a good question I've wanted to ask you. Are you ready?" 

He raised an eyebrow. "Let's hear it, then."

"After what happened under the bridge or in the prefects bathroom - why did you push me away? You locked me out almost immediately after and I guess I don't understand why?"

He scoffed and fiddled with his bowtie. "I had to. All those... activities with you were making me think things that aren't exactly typical. I mean, I shoved you to a wall and smacked your arse red because I couldn't keep my hands to myself! I ate your cunt in a classroom in the middle of the damn day because I was jealous! That's not quite normal for me. Nor for you. It was frightening."

"I can understand that. I've been fairly overwhelmed with the entirety of this situation. And it's just been so long, I'm exhausted with not having an answer." 

"Looks like the end is near, at least." He dropped his arm along the back of the couch and she felt his fingers tugging and curling the hair on the back of her head, almost absent mindedly. Was he upset about that? "Did you enjoy watching me in the shower?"

She choked on the water she just sipped and her hands flew out to grasp anything as she coughed, one landing on his knee and she squeezed tightly while he smacked her back with his palm. "Circe, I wasn't trying to kill you! Take a breath! You can't even drink right, how are you still alive??"

She knew her whole face was red and she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, fumbling for her wand to clean the spilled glass, keeping his warm leg under her palm almost without thought. He waved his hand and she was impressed, even for a simple cleaning of water, wandless magic was wandless magic. He smirked at her like he was reading her thoughts. 

"Is that a yes, then?" 

"No! No of course not! I didn't mind it but-" She was trying to outsmart the potion. "I've never...quite. Seen someone do that. And it was a little rattling to know you were fantasizing about me. I just- I swear you knew I was there! Why didn't you just stop?" 

"I didn't know. Not until you tried to sneak out. Do you not fantasize about people? Or I suppose you're too focused on technique, doing it all by the book, as it were. It was quite a show you gave me earlier, so, gold stars." He taunted her, placing his hand over hers and sliding it off his knee. His thumb brushed over her fingers before he released her and returned his hand to the side of his face, curiosity in his eyes. 

"Wait- here's my question. Have you ever fantasized about Potter? I've got a bet on because I know you've snogged Weasley but we always wondered about Potter." 

She looked insulted as he leaned forward excitedly. The gossip about her was always limited to the men around her and she was so irritated with it. "No! Oh how awful! Have you fantasized about Bulstrode?! Tracey Davis??" Draco gagged and set her with a glare. "Exactly!"

"Who then? Me?" 

"Don't flatter yourself, you git." She crossed her arms and scowled, glaring back at him. "Maybe Theodore Nott once or twice. He's quite handsome but he's never spoken to me before." She saw his eye twitch in annoyance. 

"Theo's played a lead role in a few of my dreams as well. It's the ruddy dimple in his cheek. He's far too delightful for his own good."

"He's so attractive it's unfair." She brushed her hair over her shoulder and bit her lip. "So is Chauncey Regis in Ravenclaw." Draco's glare had grown sharper, angrier. He's got the possessive spark back in his eye and it almost feels exciting to her. 

"Fine. Yes! Theo's leagues better, I understand. Stop making me jealous." He brooded for a moment before glancing sideways at her while he shifted his legs, mischievous smirk back on his face. "What's a secret you've kept from me?"

"I dreamed of punching you over and over again after 3rd year."

"So you have fantasized about me." He said victoriously and she rolled her eyes. 

"And I saw you staring at the Yule Ball and wanted to laugh in your face. Didn't work up the nerve, you were the last thing on my mind by the end." He reached up to brush a curl out of her face, a wistful look in his eyes.

"Everyone was staring at the Yule Ball. You were stunning. You are stunning. You just so happened to be Potter's best friend and as far from okay for me to stare at or dance with as Potter himself." His knuckles tapped her chin to bring her eyes to his and he leaned forward, his fair eyelashes fluttering as he searched her face. 

"You think I'm-?"

"You're absolutely beautiful. Which is why it's so frustrating you think Weasel is the best you can do." He ran his hand back up her arm and twirled his finger through her curls, his voice softer. "Ginger bastard doesn't deserve you." 

Hermione choked out a nervous laugh, "That's not- Ron isn't a bastard. Are you really so jealous?"

"I've told you before," his nose nudged against her earlobe. "I'm not good with sharing. And he made you cry that night, too. That was the rumour, at least." his voice came out a growl and it rocked through her body. He took a heavy breath in and out as he leaned back away and took his wand from the shelf behind her. Her whole body seemed to complain when he stood up, his eyes bright. "At any rate; care to dance?" A soft song came on when he flicked his wand and he offered his hand out. 

"Yes. Does that count as a question?" She took his hand, her fingers feeling warm against his and she squealed when he jerked her forward against him. His hand went around her waist with comfortable ease again. 

"Yes, I suppose it does. I don't have too many questions for you, Granger. You're as easy to read as that smutty book. Only you don't know it." The deep tone in his voice flirted up in a way that made her heart flutter.

"I take offense to that!" She scowled up at his face but he had kept his gaze trained over her head, avoiding meeting her eye while swaying them slightly. 

"Mm, take all the offense you want." His hand slid up her spine ever so slowly, still rocking to the music. He dipped his face down to her ear and whispered, "You're just miffed I'm right. All it takes is a few heavy snogs and I know who you are and... what you like." His fingers tangled into her hair at her scalp and he made a fist, tugging her head back to look straight up in his eyes. She felt her legs tremble as he brushed his lips against hers. "There's only one real question I have. No curse and no lying, Granger. Tell me. Do you want me or don't you?"

Any and every thought she ever had was long gone, miles away the moment he gripped her hair, the pressure against her skull feeling somehow arousing, the power he had over her in his fist. Merlin, why was that exciting? She didn't like being controlled! But... maybe-? She didn't want to answer the question but the serum gave her no choice. "I do," she breathed against his lips, eyes locked into his and her heart pounding its way out of her ribs. "And I hate that I do." 

Draco tossed his head back and laughed again. "Merlin, the feeling is mutual. I'm so damn exhausted with wanting you. It's all consuming." He released her hair and put his arms back around her waist. "Any other questions?"

"I- I can't think." She answered honestly, her heart slamming in her throat as he stared at her lips, slightly smiling at her. 

"Mmhm. The hair pulling; that always works; disengages a mouthy witch. We should probably talk of something else." She searched his face, wanting nothing more than to stay on topic. 

"Do you think of me at night; like you did in the shower? All alone?" She whispers the last bit.

"Merlin, Granger. I've told you - I can only wank to you. Even my imagination was a traitor and every thought came back to you." His hand dropped to trail along her skirt hem. "Especially what its like between your legs. I particularly liked you grinding your cunt against my mouth as you came." He flicked the little bow on her thigh highs and brushed his lips just below her ear. "Fuck, that will stay with me forever." 

"I- I meant before-? Before the library closet? You've never been-"

"Yes." he cut her off and she imagined he hated that the truth came so suddenly but he didn't expand on it.

"It's only- just- you call me beautiful but I remember very clearly you saying otherwise." He laid his forehead against hers and her tongue was suddenly tied, she wouldn't ever forget how retched he had behaved, the cruel names and taunts. But the way he was looking at her helped the sting of the memories fade, apologetic and pained and she wondered if he would feel the same once he was cured.

"I've never been good with my words, Granger. I know what I've said to you before and I know I've been, I believe you said it, awful. You're too clever to not have noticed I only singled you out." He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes. "You always made me feel - complicated. Always."

There was a long pause, they stopped swaying and he leaned back to look back at the room past her head. Finally, she pushed out the question: "Does this mean it isn't some curse that's causing all of this? Am I...interested? Are you-?" He chortled. "And you don't actually hate me?"

"Only you can answer that but I can say I definitely don't hate you. I'm actually quite obsessed with you, it seems." He hesitated for a moment, his steel gaze glued on her lips before he leaned in and kissed her so suddenly her world tilted sideways.