New Beginnings

Chapter 13 Going Public



Their mini vacation had been calm and relaxing. Draco and Hermione even used Glamours so they could spend some time at Diagon Alley. Hermione was able to pick up some new books at Flourish & Blotts then they both picked up potion ingredients at the Apothecary as well as some ready-made potions for the loft. It was a bit strange for them to be back but the Glamours did help. They were able to mill about like everyone else, that’s what they needed. When they finished their shopping excursion, Draco whispered in Hermione’s ear, “How about lunch in Hogsmeade?” Her face lit up like a room filled with candles.



“Really?”



“Why not? We don’t have any other plans for the day, do we?” She shook her head, no, then stood on her tip-toes and kissed him. Draco pulled her into his arms, deepening their kiss then rested his forehead against hers, smiling.



“I love your kisses, Hera.”



“I love you. Now let’s go to lunch.”



The happy couple headed to the apparate point, hand in hand. They never noticed that someone was watching them with a scrutinizing eye from the other side of the street. When the couple apparated away, the young man adjusted the collar of his cloak, brushed the hair out of his eyes and walked towards the apparate point. In a blink of an eye, he was gone.



Draco and Hera wandered around Hogmeade, reacquainting themselves with the town they had spend so much time in when they were younger. Draco bought Hermione a red and gold phoenix feather quill for her home office as well as some ink and parchment. He couldn’t help but smile at her. The simplest things made her so happy.



‘She is so much different from the pureblood girls that Father wanted me to end up with. She really is a blessing.’



They stocked up on their favorite candies, chocolate frogs and sugar quills, at Honeydukes, and had them sent to Blaise with a note:



B,

Please bring this to my office when you come on Wednesday.

Thanks,

D.



As they window shopped, Hermione happily sucked a sugar quill and Draco finished off a chocolate frog as they headed towards Three Broomsticks for lunch. When they walked in, they were pleased to see that the inn was relatively quiet. Draco found a table for them and started to review the menu.



“Love, I will be right back.” She squeezed his hand and excused herself. He looked up casually.



‘Hmm, I wonder why Hera is speaking to Madame Rosmerta.’ He shrugged and went back to reading the menu. She came back to the table, ran her fingers through Draco’s hair as she kissed his temple then sat down. “What was that all about?”



“Huh? Oh, I just wanted to know if she had any specials today.” Draco put down the menu and looked at her with one eye brow raised.



“Love, you’re a terrible liar, what’s going on?” Hermione gave Draco her most angelic smile and rubbed his knee, in hopes of distracting him.



“Let’s just order lunch, ok?” Draco rolled his eyes. Madame Rosmerta came over to take their order then quickly disappeared. In less than 15 minutes she showed up with a picnic basket and a tote bag.



“There you go, Professor, everything should be all set. Have a good day.” Draco looked at Hermione, confused. She simply smiled and took his hand.



“Come with me, Love, I’ll explain in a few minutes.” They left the inn and began to walk towards Hogwarts. They walked up a short path that meandered through the woods.



“Hermione, where are we going? How did she know who you are? What is going on?”



“Shhh… All will be revealed in a moment, my dear.” She squeezed his hand gently as she led him around a pile of rocks. Hermione heard Draco gasp.



“Hera, we’re at the lake.” She just smiled as she walked over to the small cottage and unlocked the door. “How did you find this place? Has it always been here? Hera?” Draco turned around to see the cottage with the door open. “Hera, whose place is this?”



“It’s mine.” He looked at her, confused. She smiled, as she used her wand to tidy up the small cottage and light the fire in the hearth. The cottage was sparsely furnished with an antique table and chairs, a small kitchen area. The living area had a teal green loveseat and an overstuffed chair next to the picture window that looked out onto the lake and one that was right next to the hearth. In the far corner, there was a queen sized brass bed with many pillows and a thick teal and white duvet that was partial blocked from view by and ornate screen. There were built in bookshelves on many of the walls that were neatly filled and some framed muggle and wizarding photos on many of the tables. Hermione turned and looked at Draco, who was still staring at her in disbelief.



“What do you mean, ‘it’s yours’? Isn’t this Hogwarts property?”



“Let me explain, when Dumbledore died, he owned some of the property around Hogwarts, in order to protect it from development. He left that property to Headmistress McGonagall. When I graduated from Oxford, she gave it to me as a graduation gift. She had this cottage built for me so I would have a place to go when I need to get away from the city.”



“But why you? Couldn’t she have just given it back to Hogwarts?” Hermione made a face.



“Minerva was the only family I had after I lost my parents. We’ve become very close over the years. She knew that I would take care of the land and that’s what Dumbledore would have wanted.”



“How much land do you own?”



“Umm, I think the deed said….500 acres? I’m not sure, really. I only use this little bit here. The rest is Magical Animal Preserve. Hogwarts takes care of it, Hagrid to be more specific. He doesn’t know that I own it for obvious reasons. He just thinks its part of his duties for the school.”



“Hermione!”



“What…” She looked at him, completely unfazed by what she was telling him.



“Do you realize that you own more land most wizards in England?”



“I never really thought of it that way. Come on, Love, it’s time for lunch. Why don’t we sit outside? I have a table and chairs for out there.” Draco just shook his head and followed her outside.



‘She really has no idea what owning this property could mean for her in the wizarding world and she doesn’t care. She’s just happy with her books and her cottage; her simple life. I really envy that.’



“Hera, how do they keep the students away from your cottage? And how do you get to come here without ‘people’ finding out?”



“Minerva set it up for me; there’s an aparate point not far from here and it’s secured just for me. She also put a Disillusion Charm on the area so no one can see it, that way I can have privacy and I don’t have to deal with anyone or anything I don’t want to.”



“Potter?” She nodded.



“He comes back to visit Hagrid occasionally so the charm allows me to come and go as I please without having to look over my shoulder all of the time.”



“Does Mcgonagall know what happen with Potter?”



“Not exactly; she knows that something serious happened and that he is the reason why I left and why severed all contact with him and the rest of them but she doesn’t know the details and she’s never asked which makes it easier for me.”



They sat outside and ate lunch, enjoying the view and the peacefulness. Hermione stood to clean up the dishes; Draco pulled her onto his lap. “Hey Beautiful, how about going for a swim with me?” She looked at him in shock and disbelief.



“Are you mad? It’s cold.”



“It’s not that cold. Besides, I can think of some really good ways to keep us warm.” He smiled at her, raising one eye brow as he unbuttoned her coat. His warm mouth captured hers gently as his warm hand caressed her stomach. “Come on, Love. It’ll be fun.” He looked at her with his lust filled silver eyes and she was done-for. Hermione shook her head, yes and Draco gave her a triumphant smirk before kissing her neck and down her collarbone. They undressed each other as quickly as possible. Draco scooped Hermione into his arms and ran into walked into the water as quickly as he could. Both of them yelled as the cold water hit their warm skin.



“Draco, we’ve lost our minds…It’s too cold…Let’s go inside…” She tried to swim away but he grabbed her waist, pulled her to him and giving her a soul melting kiss. Hermione’s arms went around his neck. His hardness was pressed against her stomach; she could feel her need for him growing with every second.



‘I can’t believe he can actually be ‘hard’ in water this cold,’ she thought.

His hands caressed her sides, brushing the sides of her breasts; she moaned in his mouth. Draco squeezed her bum as he lifted her, instinctively; Hermione wrapped her legs around his waist. His member pressed against her sex. She whimpered with need.



“Draco, please…”



“Please what, Love? What does my girl want?” Hermione could feel his warm breath on her ear as he nipped at her neck; sending shivers down her back.



“More…Draco, I need you…” Her voice was filled with lust. Draco smiled at her and looked into her eyes. He kissed her deeply as he apparated them into the cottage. Hermione put her feet down on the area rug in front of the hearth as she slowly pulled away from their kiss. She accioed her wand; adding more wood to the fire in the hearth. She looked up at him and smiled. “Our clothes?”



“Later, my sweet…” Draco stroked her face, brushing her hair from her face. He stared into her eyes and smiled as he caressed her cheek. “You are so beautiful.” Hermione started to blush and tried to look away. “No…look at me, Love.” He kissed her sweetly on the lips; sending a shiver down her spine. “I love these lips. So soft, so warm. And this spot, right here by your ear, that is one of my favorites.” Draco snaked his arm around her waist as he placed his other hand behind her neck before he placed his warm lips below her ear. Hermione moaned softly as he clung to his arms, as his kissed down her neck. “Your skin is so soft, so sweet.” He placed baby kisses on her collarbone before stepping away from her slightly, holding her hands. The expression on his face changed slightly. The twinkle in his eye changed to something that Hermione was afraid to name.



“Hera, you are a gift. I must have done something right in my life for the Gods to grant me the precious gift that is you.” Hermione looked into his eyes; she could feel a lump forming in her throat. “You are my goddess; with this I honor you.” Draco took a deep breath and kissed the back of Hermione’s hands before he knelt in front of her. Hermione could feel her heart pounding as her hands began to shake.



‘Oh Merlin…Is he…No, he’s not…He won’t? Would he? I’ve only read about this…Is this really happening? This happens to other people…not me…Oh Merlin, please don’t let me faint...’



Draco’s voice was soft and loving despite how much it was shaking.



“I honor thy feet that brought thee to me.” He bent down and kissed her feet.

“I honor thy knees that shall kneel at the sacred altar with me.” He kissed her knees.

“I honor thy womb, the source of life and hope for the future.” He kissed her womb.

“I honor thy breasts, formed in beauty to bring comfort and pleasure.” He kissed each of her breasts

“I honor thy lips that utter my name with reverence and love.” He kissed her lips, chastely. “My Beloved Hermione, you are my Goddess. With every breath I take, I will honor you for as long as I live.”



As he spoke, Hermione cried. This was The Pledge of Lovers, she had read about it, many, many years ago, but she never thought that anyone would make this pledge to her. She had dreamt of this moment and now that it was here, it was better than any dream. It was real and it was Draco; he really loved her. Her breathing was ragged and her voice shaky when she spoke. Her face was wet with tears.



“Draco, you are my God, with this I honor you.” She caressed his cheek, lovingly.

“I honor thy feet that brought thee to me.” She knelt down and kissed his feet.

“I honor thy knees that shall kneel at the sacred altar with me.” She kissed his knees.

“I honor thy phallus, the giver of life and hope for the future.” She kissed his penis.

“I honor thy breasts, formed in strength to bring comfort.” She kissed his chest.

“I honor thy lips that utter my name with reverence and love.” She kissed his lips, chastely. “My Beloved Draco, you are my God. With every breath I take, I will honor you for as long as I live.”



They held hands, resting their foreheads together for a few minutes. This was not a moment they had expected to happen but now that it was here, it was far more overwhelming than either of them could ever imagine. Draco looked at Hermione and smiled, before picking her up bridal style and carrying her to the bed. He laid her on the bed then, without words, he repeated his Pledge to her, kissing her feet, then her knees. Draco stopped and looked into Hermione’s eyes as he spread her legs. Her heart was racing; the intense look in his eyes was overwhelming. She could feel his hand caressing her inner thighs, making her tremble with anticipation. Draco leaned forward, and began to place soft kisses on Hermione mound. Very gently, he spread her folds kissing her layers of wetness; savoring her sweetness. He placed baby kisses all the way up her stomach until he settled on her breasts. He kissed each breast, sucking each nipple gently. Hermione held her breath; this was almost more than she could handle. Draco moved his body to cover hers, settling between her legs. Hermione gasped softly as his erection settled against her entrance.

He kissed her passionately as his hands began to caress her curves. Draco pulled back slightly and looking at her. Hermione’s eyes were closed; she felt him move his hands along her arms and clasped her hands.



“Look at me, Hera.” Their eyes locked as he entered slowly; she whimpered as her body began to tremble slightly. When he was buried to the hilt they completed their pledge. Draco spoke; his voice was strong and filled with love.



“As you are the cup….”



“So you are the sword…”



“Joined, we are one in perfect love and perfect trust,” they finished together.



The couple made love slowly, reverently, until late into the evening; sealing their pledge to each other. They fell asleep; hearts filled with love and hope for their future.



&&&&&&&&&&&&&



The early morning sun shone through the teal drapery; Draco stirred slightly and pulled the sheet and duvet up to his neck as he snuggled closer to Hermione. She fit so perfectly against his body; it was like she was made to be there. His hand drifted to her lower belly; he stroked it lovingly and he smiled.

‘Someday…Someday…’ He let out a quiet sigh. ‘…the source of life and hope for our future…’ Draco kissed Hermione’s head and slowly drifted back to sleep.



Several hours later, Hermione started to wake up, yawning and stretching. She turned to see a peacefully sleeping Draco next to her. She smiled and caressed his cheek.

He smiled as he opened his eyes. Without saying a word, he pulled her on him, kissing her deeply as he buried his fingers in her hair. Hermione caressed his back; her hands traveled down and grabbed his bum, pulling him closer to her. Draco rolled onto his back, pulling Hermione on top of him as he sat up. She sat up, straddled his lap. They rested their foreheads together as they gently massaged each other’s backs. Draco could feel her warmth, against his growing erection. He eased her hips forward, pulling her closer to him. Hermione gasped softly when she felt him press against her entrance. He kissed her neck and collarbone as he fondled her breasts gently. She buried her face in the crook of his neck as he entered her slowly. She sighed as she tightened her grip around his neck and began to rock her hips. Draco kissed her shoulder as he squeezed her hips. He eased her back so she was lying between his legs. He gently ran his hands over her body; taking her breath away. He never stopped looking into her eyes. His long, nimble fingers began to work her clit as moaned softly. Hermione was squeezing her nipples as she pulled herself onto his cock harder. Her feet were pressed against Draco’s bum, trying to take him deeper as she felt her orgasm building. Her body began to tremble, as she exploded. She whispered his name, as softly as a prayer as she writhed in ecstasy; her eyes were closed but only for a moment. Draco touched her face, lovingly. Everything she was feeling was almost too much for her to take. Looking into his silver eyes, seeing so much love, such love and pleasure coursing through her body; her tears began to fall. Draco pulled her into his arms; his thrusts were deep but gently. He could feel himself losing control; pulling her tight to him as he buried his face in her hair as he came deep inside of her. He whispered his declarations of love to her as he filled her.



They were both breathing hard and holding each other tight. When their breathing finally slowed, Draco stroked Hermione’s hair; she looked at him, her eyes were glassy.



“Are you ok, Love?” She shook her head, yes, as she snuggled closer to him again. “You don’t want to leave yet, do you?” She shook her head, no. “Hera, are you forgetting something, when we get back, we’re going home…together.” Her face lit up.



“Can we have lunch at the Manor before we go…”



“Home, Love. And yes.” He patted her on the bum so she would get up. “You go get in the shower and I’ll get our clothes.”



They showered, dressed and apparated back to the Manor. Tinky had lunch waiting them. Draco asked Gracie to pack for them while they ate lunch so they could leave when were finished. The elves couldn’t help but look a bit disappointed.



“Don’t worry, we will be back soon.” Hermione said, smiling at them. Their ears perked up. “Maybe dinner, once a week, that’s doable, don’t you think, Draco?” He just smiled at her. ‘She liked it here and she liked the elves, this was a good thing.’



“I think we can do that. It’s going to be a few weeks before we can start it, though. We have to get you moved into the loft and set you settled in, ok?” He looked at Hermione, then at the elves. They all nodded. Hermione leaned over and kissed him.



“Thank you,” she whispered. “I love you.” She rested her forehead against his.



“I love you, too.”





A.N.: Parts of the Lovers\' Pledge will be reused later. Just a heads up so folks know that yes, it was intentional.