Tainted White

Hello...So, a new chapter for you to comment. I hope you like the lighter atmosphere....Let me know!

Again, I want to thank everyone who reviewed the story. Thank you for the compliments. And thank you lala for making my day by saying that the chapter 14 is good to go :)

Enjoy


Chapter 14


It was.......it was awkward. A strange moment between two people who couldn't define exactly what it was happening to them.

She was so shy suddenly.

It was......it was like standing in front of him for the first time.

It felt as if she was naked. Stripped in front of a stranger.

He was taking it all much better. He was ....almost comfortable with it.

Hermione couldn't force herself to look at him. She bent her head down trying to avoid his eyes.

Draco smiled.

It was funny....one of the strongest women he knew was acting like a little girl.

She changed his life in a second.
She changed his heart.
His mind.

She made it all look so much brighter.

In a second, Draco....she turned your life around with a nod of her head. Is there anyone else in the world who was important as she is? Those thorns in your heart are not as sharp as they used to be. The blood in your veins is not as cold. Can you feel the winter inside of you finally turning into spring? Can you feel the ice melting? Sun breaking through?

It's her.

He touched a lock of her hair and moved it from her face. '' Out of all the history between us you chose to blush now?''

He sounded slightly amused.

Hermione looked up. Then realized it was a mistake........he was smiling.

And you thought he could not look any more beautiful.

She swallowed. Teeth sank into her bottom lip. ''It will be hard...this...for you and me.''

''I know it will.'' He was not smiling anymore. '' For you... it will be even harder.''

She nodded in agreement. ''I......I want you to know that....this is my decision, I guess it has been for a while....There are many battles behind me, but the one in front of me will be....it will....What I'm trying to say is...''

''I'll be here.'' He said.

Her voice was threatening to crack so she nodded again.

''Look, how about we take the afternoon and have some rest. I 'm sure you have '' he smiled ''thoughts to sort out.''

She sighed ''Right''

'' When you do...we could get out and have dinner.''
She looked at him as if he was mad.

''Outside, I meant outside the manor...the terrace is quite...charming.... in spring...It will be warm this evening.''

She smiled at the clumsiness.

His heart skipped a beat.

''Are you asking me out on a date?'' She crocked her head. Almost playful expression covering her face.

He felt so sorry....so sorry that he couldn't give her everything. So sorry that they didn't start this the way it was supposed to be started. He wondered what it would be like if they were free. If they had a chance in the real world.
If the world was not divided.
If they were on the same side.

Not that it really mattered anymore.

He realized then that there were so many things he didn't know about her. So many faces he didn't see. And yet...he knew he loved them all.

''I guess I am.''

'' Ok. I'll see you at dinner then.'' She said turning to walk upstairs.

''Granger?'' he called out.

She turned in the doorway to look at him.

'' Do clean up....it's been a while since I saw you wearing real clothes.'' He added seriously, but she sensed the note of teasing in his calm voice.

''Same to you....Malfoy.''


............................................

Hermione closed the door to her room and leaned back to the wooden surface.


They will find you Hermione, you know that don't you. They will find you here. With him. Alive and well. After they feared for you, thought of you as dead...they will find you here.

''No. No more fears. No more holding back. This....this is my life now. And I'll pretend that it's a normal one even for one evening. ''

Firmness of her voice surprised her. '' Let's open that closet, shall we....'' She said and walked to the wardrobe, for the first time touched the clothes he bought for her. For the first time noticed that his taste was impeccable.

If your lives were ordinary lives, If you were ordinary people....You would fall for him so easily...He would have you in a minute. It would take one smile...one taste...one touch....and you'd let him have you.

Hermione....you two do not live ordinary lives. You are not ordinary people....You fell for him so easily. It only took one smile, one taste...one touch. You let him have you.......you let him make you....make you fall.

Is this how long your resistance lasted? Is this how expensive your loyalty was?

Her hands flew to her ears...''Stop it, stop this already...I can't...''

''Ms? Is everything ok? Master sent me to see if...''

''Martha. I need your help.'' She breathed.

Martha looked at her carefully. Didn't really know what to expect.

''I don't know what to wear.''


..................................................

Draco Malfoy entered his bedroom and took a moment to compose himself.

He was nervous.

Truly nervous.

He couldn't remember when was the last time he felt like that.

When he was about to take the Mark?

No, Draco, you were frightened then. A frightened child.

You only get nervous around her....you must have noticed that. You know why? Because you never know where she'll take you. Because only with her you don't know what the outcome will be.

He thought about her as he took his clothes of and headed towards the bathroom. He remembered how he picked every item of clothes before he got her to the manor.

Remember you imagined every single piece on her? Remember how good the image looked?

He smiled. It seemed pointless to fantasize about her all dressed up since he already seen her naked.

A thought crossed his mind but he chose to ignore it....Could it be that it turns you on to see her all wrapped up into something you bought for her? Could it be?

Do you think that wearing yours equals being yours?

They will come for her. They will come asking, accusing, yelling.....they will come searching.

Jack told him that they are restless. Potter does not want to announce her death. She's still missing. And he is looking for her. Most likely, he will find her.

Draco knew it long time ago....but now, he was positive... There was no force in the both worlds that could make him give her up.



.................................


Hermione saw him first. He was still talking with Jack down at the bottom of the stairs. It looked as if he was giving him some instructions.

It's been a while since she saw him dressed up. Yes, he looked casual enough....black slacks and a dark grey long sleeved shirt buttoned up to his throath. Only the sleeves were rolled up to his elbows and it made him look...relaxed, comfortable. It managed to emphasize just about everything....the neck, hair, eyes, arms....Dark Mark.

''Evening Ms Granger'' brought her back, and she blinked. It was Jack that greeted her.

It was then that Draco looked up to find her coming down the stairs. Dark blue jeans, purple silk top that hugged her breasts shoving a decent cleavage and then falling freely to her hip.
Gold stilettos on her feet. And a detail he hoped for. A long golden thin chain around her neck with purple and violet stones here and there. Delicate. Unique. Beautiful. Perfect.

He pictured her wearing nothing but that piece of jewelry....and simple satin panties. The chain falling gently between her breasts, reaching to her navel.

The image was in his mind since he first saw the necklace.

He never hoped he would live to day when she would choose to wear it.

......................

If you watched from aside, two young beautiful people sitting at the luxurious table out in the open, you could see the picture perfect.

You could see him pulling a chair out for her, using a moment to drink in her scent.

You could see her closing her eyes and taking a deep breath when she knew he wasn't looking.

You could hear them discussing the dinner.....him filling her glass with wine, and handing it to her....

If you came closer....You could notice the muscle near his jaw twich when her fingers made the slightest contact with his as she reached out to take the wine.

You could see that his eyes were locked at her lips as they closed around the chilled strawberry.

And then another one.

You could see that the calm mask on his face fit him perfectly.

Hers too.

You could see her cheeks blush the lightest shade of pink when her eyes fell to his bare forearms....and long fingers.

Could you try and be a little less transparent Hermione?

''Mind if I say something?'' he said.

''You are asking for a permission? Really?''

''Is it the wine that put the colour to your cheeks?''

She laughed softly...''You are insinuating that it's you?.''

''You seem nervous.'' Intensity of his eyes frightened her.

You can handle him, Hermione.

''And you seem cool. But you and I both know how much deceiving and misleading appearances can be.''

He smiled. ''True...true. So, what you're trying to say is that you are the one who is calm and I am the nervous one.''

She made a slow nod....some unknown fire burning in her eyes.

''You are so beautiful'' Caught her off guard.

And there the composure went.

''Trying to make me nervous as well?'' Don't let him. No rushing tonight. If this was a real first date....you would want to take it slow. Right? Hermione?

''Is it working?'' He took a sip from his glass.

''No.'' She lied.

''Such a skillful liar, Granger.''

''Such an arrogant prat, Malfoy.''

'' Absolutely breathtaking.''

''Stop.''

''Mindblowing.''

''Stop.''

''So inviting...''

She let an amused laugh out...''Please...Like you'd need an invitation.''

He leaned across the table and touched her hand...

''It's getting late....'' She managed and pulled away...

He smiled and got up...to help her with the chair. Like a true gentleman would. Fingers brushed over her skin.

''Are you nervous now?'' He leaned in and made her dizzy. Made her weak....

''Why do you want me to be?''

''You have no idea.''

''Of what?''

He gave up on polite conversation. Completely helpless in front of her.

''What losing your composure does to me.''

He really didn't want to go there.
Really wanted just a calm evening.
Wanted to go slow.

Wanted to pretend like he didn't need her desperately.

He reached for another strawberry and his eyes fixed on her lips. '' I noticed you like them...How about one last taste before bed?''

She took a bite and looked at him, trying her best to ignore the tips of his fingers on her lips. Play his game Hermione. How hard can it be?

'' And what about your composure? How much it takes to ruin it?'' She asked while starting to walk towards her room.

He followed. ''Takes you.''

Fuck you Malfoy.

''We are going in a wrong direction...'' She said smiling...wondering....what the outcome of this evening will be. She was not strong enough to resist him. Normal circumstances or not. Real world or imagined one. Pretending or not.

''And the right one would be?'' He asked, looking at her from aside.

''Pretending that we are on a regular first date..''

''On a regular first date I would try to get you into my bed.'' Oh, real classy Malfoy. This is your version of not rushing?

She laughed. ''Fair enough.''

''So, it's a deal, then?'' He smiled.

He smiled and she saw his charm in his full glory. She saw a playfull boy. A man you can't say no to. You can't reject.

''You were polite few hours ago. What happened to your tact?''

''Joined the composure.''

And the smile again.

I hate you. I hate you for manipulating me this way. For leaving me with no choice. For taking my strength away. I hate you for being so damn...perfect.

''So, this is me....'' She motioned to her bedroom door and approached them.

He stepped closer and reached for the knob, looking down at her. She tried to avoid his eyes.
''Here you go....''

She stepped into the room and still in the doorway half turned to say ''Thank...'' but was silenced by his lips. He kissed her so gently....She tasted wine on his lips...in his mouth. Hesitantly placed her hands on his arms...just above his elbows.

He deepened the kiss.

She was still half startled....

Do you think it will be different this time Hermione? Are you brave enough to start it this time? Or brave enough to end it? Stop it? If there was no war. No sides....on an evening like this, this is where you'd be...you would want this man like you want him. And you would take him. With no regrets.

So no regrets now.

She effortlessly released her feet from the fine chains and high heels and let them sink into the soft rug beneath. He slowly broke the kiss....and his eyes flew to her hands alarmed by the movement....She unbuttoned her jeans. He swallowed. And followed the fingers undoing the zipper. Watched the slow sinking of the dark material to the floor.

She looked up at him and touched the necklace....

''No. Leave it.'' He rasped.

She turned her back at him, gathered her hair to one side....He pulled the zipper of her top. Didn't trust himself to touch her.

She let the silk stripes slide down her arms...and bare skin of her back tempted too much. She took a second and slowly turned to face him.

Draco closed his eyes.

It hurt.

The vision in front of him hurt.

Because there was no way that it was not an illusion.

If she had a wand Draco...if she had a knife at this moment...you would let her take your life away. You are that helpless.......that weak.

That lost.

In a blur he found himself on her bed...sitting....with her straddling his lap...unbuttoning his shirt...sliding it down his back. Gently pushing him to lay down as she leaned to kiss his neck. Chest....down to his abdomen.

In a blur he felt her unzip his pants and pull them down his legs.

He was drunk. Drugged. High.
Relax...let her take her time...tonight. Don't rush...Just...Let her. This one time. Whatever she wants. Any way she wants it....

Still straddling his waist she leaned down and kissed him tentatively.....slowly pulling him to sit up.

His fingers traced the line of the golden chain from her navel up between her breasts...closed his fist around it...

Don't rush it, his brain screamed.

The brain screamed and he used the chain to pull her to his lips forcefully. Hand went up her throat, behind her neck, into her hair....The other one slid down between her thighs and helped him in.

She moaned....''Draco...''

It sent shivers down his body.

He sucked the air through his teeth...fighting for control.

You can't do this to me Hermione. You can't do this and expect...expect me to do nothing. You can't say my name like that...

You can't breath my name.

Don't you know how that ends? Don't you know what it does....aren't you afraid? You should be afraid. Because I don't know...I don't know this yet...I don't know how to.......Gentle or hard....

Before you I have never....With the rest of them...None of them...Before you...

Love.

To any of them.

Made love.

Never.

''You're first.''

You're last.