Hermione and Draco

Disclaimer: These characters are not of my creation (I wish!). Everything belongs to JK Rowling, I'm just delving into the Pensieve and playing around with the memories a little!

Chapter 2 – May I Have This Dance?

When Harry and Ginny walked into the reception hall all conversation stopped. Everyone looked at the couple, Hermione’s closest friends, and descended on them like a pack of wild dogs.

“How is she?”

“Is she okay?”

“What happened with Ron?”

“Does anyone know where he is?”

“Everyone, everyone,” began Harry. “Please, go back to your tables and we’ll try to explain. A lot of it is still a mystery, because Ron wasn’t very forthcoming with answers, but we’ll tell you what we know.”

So Harry and Ginny sat there, telling everyone that Ron had decided that he didn’t love Hermione, and took off with an American witch he had met at one of Ginny’s games, going to the US with her.

“That’s all we know,” said Ginny. “He hasn’t owled anyone in the family yet to try to explain why he did what he did. We’ll just have to wait until the twins catch him up and see what they find out.”

“You sent the twins after him?” crowed Percy. “They’ll kill him!”

“And make him very uncomfortable while they’re doing it.” chimed in Charlie.

“And I hope he ends up with a pig’s snout and tail, since he’s a pig in every other regard!” Mrs. Granger said with venomed sweetness.

Everyone laughed at her. After that, the mood in the room was much calmer, even jovial, as the guests visited and laughed with one another. The air of the room could not have been any better for what was about to happen.

*************

Hermione hurtled back to the antechamber to change her clothes so she could go to the reception. Suddenly, for some odd reason, she actually felt like having some fun. And she was determined to have fun tonight, even if it killed her.

I don’t understand it, and I don’t want to, she thought to herself. I know that Draco being here has something to do with it; She considered the possibilities of why she automatically thought of Draco. I just want to have some fun tonight. I may have lost my pride, but I won’t lose my dignity. I can control myself when there are males of the species around.

She opened up the portable wardrobe she brought with her and contemplated on what she should wear. At first she thought something a little on the conservative side would be best.

But why? She asked herself. Why should I try and be prim and proper? I want to have fun tonight, forget my problems, and being conservative is not going to do that.

She looked through the wardrobe until she found the dress she wanted. It was a little black dress, about a ½ size too small. It was toga like, in that it only had one strap going over her left shoulder. It left both shoulders bare, and showed off the cleavage of her ample bust and when she danced in it… all sorts of interesting things happened under that dress – especially when she didn’t wear underwear or bra.

She wiggled into the dress, luxuriating in the feel of the silk against her bare flesh. She looked critically at herself in the mirror before she decided that this dress was not meant to be worn with panties, and she dropped them to her ankles and kicked them to one side. Wearing this dress, going “commando” as Ginny put it, always made her feel naughty… but tonight she reveled in feeling naughty, and that in turn made her feel… free. She smiled to her mirror self as she surveyed herself in that little black beauty. It hugged all the right curves, accentuated her ripe bust-line, the curve of her ass and thigh, and made her look like a Greek sex Goddess bent on celebrating her own aspects.

Well, she thought as she absently banished the wardrobe back to her flat. If this dress doesn’t help me have fun tonight, nothing will!

*************

As Draco sat waiting for Hermione to change clothes for her reception, he couldn’t forget what she looked like in that wedding dress. Like some virginal Goddess that was using herself in some kind of sacrifice. It made him want to weep with longing, and made his pants bulge.

Ah, certainly, Draco, he thought to himself. You certainly have got it bad for Miss Granger. He thought about it for a few more moments, weighing all the pros – which there were many, and weighing the cons – and the only one he could think of was the fact that Ron Weasley would be a part of her life still. It’s not the Weasleys. He liked them well enough, although he’d rather not have them knowing that. It’s The Weasel – if I have to put up with his whiney, sulky crap for any length of time, I might have to do something to him – like zipping his mouth shut – permanently.

As Draco sat there, lost in his thoughts of Hermione, the Weasleys and Ron, Hermione opened the door to the antechamber and stepped out. She could tell from the frown he was deep in thought.

“Ahem,” she cleared her throat. “Are we ready to join everyone in the reception hall?”

Draco spun around, startled when she had spoken. Finally! A girl who doesn’t take an hour just to change clothes!

But when he laid his eyes on her, all he could do was gape. He felt his eyes widen, his mouth go slack and his face was first going hot, then cold, then hot again.

“Well, Draco Malfoy,” Hermione glowed. “That’s the first time I’ve ever seen you speechless!”

“Uhhhh,” was all Draco could say.

Oh my Gods! Draco thought frantically. Oh my GODS… what am I going to do? She’s beautiful, she’s gorgeous and all I can think of is taking her in my arms and …Oh, I can’t think like that – she was just left at the altar by her fiancé, even if it is the Weasel!

Hermione watched Draco’s reaction go from one of speechless adoration to one of hopelessness. She wasn’t sure that she understood what that was about, but she knew she couldn’t let him continue to feel like that.

Hermione walked quietly and serenely up to Draco, put her arms around his neck and pulled his mouth down to hers. She meant it to be a sisterly kiss …

But it didn’t stay a sisterly kiss for long. As she kissed him, she noted that his lips tasted very good, and were very soft, and she didn’t want the kiss to end. So, she pulled him a little closer, pressing her body into his, continuing the kiss much longer than she had originally intended to, unable to stop herself.

When Hermione first walked up to Draco and put her arms around his neck, he told himself that she was just going to give him a friendly hug. When she put her lips on his, he was startled, but told himself, once again, that it was going to be nothing more than a little peck.

Now, with her mouth on his, he could feel the passion building between them, as if there were electric current circling in the air about them. When she pulled him closer, he responded by crushing her to his body and gently probing her mouth with his tongue. When their tongues started to explore each other he moaned into the kiss. He could feel himself vibrating, and shivering and wondered if it was just he – or if that had been her reaction too.

After a few moments, they broke a part, both of them trembling inside and out, not knowing exactly what had just happened, but knowing they both wanted it, and knew they didn’t want it to stop.

“My Lady,” began Draco, voice trembling slightly. “Should we go join your friends and family at the reception?” he allowed his eyes to boar into her, trying to tell her with his eyes how much he wanted her.

Hermione took a deep shuddering breath. Great - good - Gods! What was that? I never knew – never dreamed – that Draco could ever feel that strongly about me – or me about him. Oh, I want him so badly… I want to curl up to him and…and… oh, this is not good! This is not good!

She shook her head slightly, deciding that she wouldn’t think about this tonight, and looked back into Draco’s eyes. They were beautiful and soft right now – so light blue as to be silver. They were saying things to her she wasn’t sure she could stand to hear, but knew she wouldn’t want anyone else to be saying the things to her that those wonderful silver eyes were saying.

Draco looked intently at Hermione, hoping beyond hope that she could read in his expression exactly what he wanted so very badly to do. Please, please listen to what I’m trying to say, trying to show to you. I want you for – everything… You’re all I think about…

Hermione cocked her head at Draco, giving him a strange look with a half smile and said, “Certainly my good Sir. Let us proceed.”

They both laughed at that, Hermione hooked her arm in Draco’s, laid her hand lightly on his arm, and motioned. Draco looked down at her, into those beautiful chocolate brown eyes, smiled and led her to the door.

*************

Harry and Ginny were starting to have a lot of fun, despite what happened at the wedding. They were feeling awfully guilty about it until Hermione walked in.

That is, until Hermione and Draco walked in, arm-in-arm. Hermione kept glancing up at Draco with an odd gleam in her eye, and Draco, too, was glancing down at Hermione with that same look. It looked like they were already having fun.

And that dress. That dress that showed off all her curves and looked like it was a second layer of her skin…

“Oh, my Gods!” Ginny whispered in amazement. “She’s wearing that dress…”

When they got to the center of the room, Draco spun Hermione around and released her so she could go give her hellos and thanks. He then went and sat at the table reserved for the married couple, trying to make himself as inconspicuous as possible, and waited for his Hermione to come sit with him.

My Hermione? When did she become My Hermione? Well, who knows… after that kiss, I might have a chance to earn the right to call her that.

Hermione made her rounds, first hugging and kissing both her mother and father, who seemed taken aback by her sparkling eyes, and the ease with which she laughed. Then she went on to the Weasleys, kissing and hugging each in turn, making Percy blush when she even hugged and kissed him on the cheek. Then to the Potters, hugging and kissing them both, thanking them so much for everything they did for her tonight and assuring them that she was fine and feeling much better.

She then went to the band that had been playing some light background music, beckoned the bandleader to bend his ear. She requested a special song, for someone very special in the room. The leader looked surprised, then smiled and nodded. He turned to the band, and watched Hermione for the signal to start playing.

Hermione swept over to the table where Draco was trying to make himself invisible, grabbed his hand with an “Oh, no, you don’t. You aren’t getting away from me that easily. Will you dance with me Mr. Malfoy?” she asked with her eyes glowing at him.

When Hermione had first walked up to the table he figured that she was going to ask him to dance with her. But when her eyes glowed at him – as they used to glow at Ron – his heart nearly stopped, and his breath caught in his throat.

“Y-yes… of course Miss Granger, I’d be delighted.” As he stammered out his answer, he blushed hotly and cursed the blush. He didn’t really care, though. He was going to be dancing with Hermione. Having her in his arms was exactly where he wanted her!

Hermione waited for him to get up from the table, held out her hand to him and he took it. He led her out to the dance floor. As Hermione nodded at the leader and the band struck up the song Hermione had requested, he almost swallowed his tongue. Nor was he the only one. Everyone was staring at them dancing together, oblivious to everyone but each other. One might almost think that they were the happy couple. And the song that the band was playing Strong Enough was definitely a lover’s song.

When Draco heard the first phrase of the song that Hermione had requested, his heart dropped into the pit of his stomach. Was she trying to give him a message? Or was this just a good slow dance song, maybe even her favorite muggle song and she just wanted to dance to it?

But when he looked down and caught her eyes looking at him – glowing at him – only him – he knew that she was sending a message. He held her closer, rested his cheek against her cheek and sighed, “I am, I know I am…”

When he said that to her, she didn’t understand. He knew he was – what, exactly? Hermione thought long and hard as she rocked her body with Draco’s. She listened to the music, hummed along softly and then it hit her.

Oh, Gods! Not only have I been left at the altar, now I’ve developed a crush on Draco! What the hell is going on with me today?
*************

Harry and Ginny joined Draco and Hermione on the dance floor, noticing that the first couple on the floor seemed to have forgotten that there was anyone else in the room. That was – disturbing – to both of them – though more so to Harry than to Ginny.

“What does he think he’s doing, the troublemaker?” Harry growled to Ginny. “If he so much as hurts one hair on her head…”

“Oh, you worry too much – and beside, she couldn’t do any worse than my poor excuse for a brother, could she?”

“No worse than Ron???” Harry ground his teeth – how could his wife be taking this so calmly? “This is Malfoy we’re talking about here, not some guy she picked up in a club! Need I remind you how he was to her in school?”

“And need I remind you what he did at the Final Battle?” Ginny said sternly. “Harry, look – I, better than anyone, can understand why you don’t like Malfoy – he was horrible to you in school, he tried to beat you at everything, he treated Hermione horribly and called her names I wouldn’t call my worst enemy – I understand not trusting him. But he’s obviously done some pretty trustworthy things for Hermione to be this smitten with him – and make no mistake, she is very smitten with him – and he with her. Look at the way they’re looking at each other - the way they are holding each other. They are really in love – even though neither one knows just how much. Have you noticed the dress she’s wearing? Just look at them, Harry!”

Harry took his wife’s advice and took a long look at the dancing couple. Draco was beaming down at Hermione, heart on sleeve. Hermione was looking up at him and her eyes were – there was no other way to put it – glowing. Glowing just like they used to glow at Ron.

“Huh – I hate to say it, but you’re right,” muttered Harry. “How did you know that?”

“Harry darling, didn’t you know? I know everything!” teased Ginny.

They laughed together.

*************

Hermione looked up at her dancing partner and couldn’t believe that no more than 2 hours ago she was crying because Ron had left her – now she was dancing with one of the most eligible bachelors in the wizarding community and loving every minute of it!

What is happening to me? I know that I love Ron – a lot. But this business with Draco has me all turned round about. I’ll need to be careful and stay away from him for a little while after this. Just so I can get my head back on straight.

The song ended, Draco kissed Hermione on the tip of her nose, and then led her back to her table. He kissed the back of her hand and asked if she would excuse him, he needed to go talk to Harry.

Go talk to Harry? What on earth is he up to now? “All right, Draco,” she answered, then let her eyes get a little harder. “But if you start any fights in here, I’ll kick your ass myself!”

“My dear Hermione, I have no intention of starting trouble. I just need to have a word with Pott – uh, Harry – that’s all!”

Hermione nodded to him, surprised a little that he had called Harry by his given name, but not sure she could trust him to not start something with Harry as he walked off.

*************

“Harry, can I have a word?”

Harry and Ginny both looked up quickly, both astounded to see Draco Malfoy standing next to their table.

“Uh, sure, Malf – er, Draco. Ginny, I’ll be right back,” kissing her forehead, Harry got up from their table and walked off to a private corner with Draco.

“Harry, I want to thank you for trusting me enough in the chapel to allow me to stay and see Hermione without causing any trouble,” Draco took a deep breath. “I know you and I have had bad blood between us, and, well, I just want to say… I’m very sorry for all of the times I gave you trouble. I’d like very much if we can call a truce – and maybe get to be friends.”

Harry stood and stared, open-mouthed, at Draco. He apologized? He wants a truce? It has to be because of Hermione – it has to be. Although… he has been much more civil to me since the Final Battle than he was before – even though I was the reason for his fathers’ downfall. Well, why not? It would be easier to keep an eye on him with a truce than with us hexing each other left and right – Ron’s going to be thoroughly pissed off for it – but he can just go bugger off!

Harry looked into Draco’s eyes, as if he were trying to figure out if this was a trick of some kind. Draco didn’t blame him.

It’s going to be hard for him to trust me. Huh, I don’t blame him. I never have done anything terribly trustworthy – except when I changed sides – but betraying someone, even if it was switching from Dark to Light, isn’t very trustworthy. I’ll have to really show him I’m worth the effort before he’ll truly be my friend. I need to do this, for Hermione. Not only that, though, I want to be his friend.

“Harry, I understand if you have second thoughts about me – I haven’t ever been particularly nice to you – or trustworthy. I really do want to be friends, though, and I’ll answer any questions you have until you’re satisfied.”

Harry looked into Draco’s eyes and saw his answer – or part of it. Oh, he wants Hermione badly if he’s willing to put aside all the problems we’ve had and actually become friends with me. We’ll just see, will we?

Harry took a deep breath and asked, “Why, Draco? Why do you want to be friends all of sudden? And don’t tell me some shit that we both know isn’t true. Tell me the real reason.”

Well, thought Draco, here we go.

“To be perfectly honest with you Harry, I’ve wanted to bury the hatchet now for a few years. Since before the fall of Voldemort, actually,” Draco sighed. “But you’re right. A more pressing reason has come up, and I’m not sure you’re going to like it, but I’m going to be brutally honest with you. I have very strong feelings for Hermione. Have had since the Final Battle. She saved my life, she called me brave, she befriended me when my own parents wouldn’t talk to me – well, no need to get into that right now. I think I’ve really fallen for her Harry. She needs me to be friends – or at least on good terms – with most of her friends, and I need her to accept me.”

Harry hadn’t missed that Draco had said “most” of her friends – talking about Ron, no doubt, but Harry wasn’t so sure if she would still count Ron as one of her friends anymore, anyway.

“Well, Draco, if by saying ‘most of her friends’ you’re discounting Ron, I don’t see how that’s going to be a problem. I doubt very much that she’s going to count him as a friend anytime soon. As for Hermione – I can tell that you care very much for her.” Harry chuckled at the amazed expression on Draco’s face. “Did you think that I couldn’t read you, Draco? I can read everyone, at least to a degree. I have a very strong feeling that Hermione feels the same about you, but she’s not willing to face that just yet. She did just get stood up on her wedding day, after all. Most of what we’re seeing her do right now is pure bravado, trying to take her mind off of how bad this day has turned out to be. It’s probably going to take her a while to deal with it and be up for another relationship. You just need to be patient, and understanding, and you will be well rewarded.”

Harry chuckled at Draco again. “And yes, Draco, we have a truce. Now, put your eyes back in your head, close your mouth and go pay attention to your “date”… if I know her, she’s alive with curiosity trying to figure out what we could be talking about and not be fighting yet. For that matter, my wife too.” Harry and Draco glanced at both Ginny and Hermione, who were sitting at the same table now, to see that they both wore identical curious expressions. Oh, Ginny was going to look like a fish out of water when he told her!

Harry and Draco exchanged amused glances.

“And Draco – I hope we can become friends – You might also think about having a truce with the other Weasleys – they’re just as important to her as Ginny and I. But I have to warn you, if you hurt one hair on her head – you won’t be able to run far enough or fast enough to hide from me, and when I catch you, you’ll wish Voldemort had finished you off.” Harry wasn’t trying to scare Draco, just stating a fact. Draco nodded his understanding and agreement to Harry.

Draco stuck out his hand and Harry shook it.

“Thank you Harry. I was planning on trying to call truce with the rest of the Weasleys, anyway. If truth be told, I’ve always wanted to be accepted by you and the Weasleys. My family is not nearly so close or so – uh – loving. I’m back to Hermione now – and I promise Harry, I’d die for her… I could never hurt her...”

Harry looked surprised at this sudden declaration and looked into Draco’s eyes. The feelings were definitely there, although there was still something else trying, but failing, to overpower the other emotions. He’d have to wait and see what came of all this.

“I hope so, Draco… I truly hope so.”

*************

As Harry and Draco moved off to talk, Ginny went over to Hermione to find out what was going on.

“I don’t know, Ginny,” said Hermione. “Draco just said that he wanted to talk to Harry and walked off. I did tell him not to pick any fights, but I’m not sure if that’s what his intentions were.” Hermione stared at Draco talking to Harry. She couldn’t get over how tall he’d become, or how muscular. You could see the bulge of muscle under the linen shirt; the way his ice blond hair flowed to his shoulders, the way his gray eyes darkened to smoke when he was serious...

“Hermione? Earth to Hermione!”

Hermione started… she hadn’t heard a word of what Ginny had just said.

“What? Ginny?”

“Hermione, what is the deal? You can’t keep your eyes of Draco… I mean, he’s a nice looking guy and all, but it’s Malfoy, Hermione.”

“Look Ginny, I told you my reasons for befriending him, please just understand that he’s someone that’s become important to me, okay?” her eyes traveled back to watching Draco’s every move.

“I can see that,” Ginny smirked with twinkling eyes.

They both were looking over at their two young men in the corner curiously, when the men looked back at the girls. Harry and Draco then shook hands, and Draco headed back.

“Well, I’m going to get back to my table so I can interrogate my husband. Good luck with Draco,” winked Ginny. Hermione blushed.

*************

As Draco reached the table again, Hermione gave him an inquisitive look.

“What was that all about, Draco?”

“Well, I just called a truce with Harry,” stated Draco. “I hope you don’t mind, it seemed like the thing to do. I can’t promise to do the same with all of your friends…”

Hermione was startled. He had talked about trying to make amends to Harry and her other friends, even Ron, when they first became friends before the Final Battle. She hadn’t realized how serious he was about it – and now he was saying he probably couldn’t do it with “all” of her friends, which could only point to one person – Ron.

“If you’re talking about Ron, I can understand,” sighed Hermione. “Right now, he’s not one of my favorite people, let alone a friend in any sense of the word. But his family…”

“Is next on my list,” supplied Draco.

He looked into Hermione’s eyes and this time – there was no mistaking it – her eyes glowed for him. Just for him. Just like they used to for Ron. He got lost in her eyes, and she was lost in his, and all they could do is look at each other, staring, at soft silver and chocolate brown. Hermione leaned over, very slowly, even as Draco moved the same and they kissed each other, locking their lips together, in front of everyone. Their lips locked, their eyes locked, they were losing themselves in each other.

And that’s where they were when Ron Weasley came walking through the doors.