Broomsticks and Alibis

Chapter Two

(The Wedding Night )

Long chapter!

“Let’s just assume for the sake of assuming that to consummate one’s marriage means to have intercourse,” Hermione finally said putting the marriage license away in her bag.

“I don’t want to assume. If you had known this bloody rule beforehand, we wouldn’t be sitting in the snow in the dark right now feeling like we just got hit by the Knight Bus. Let’s not screw anything else up tonight Granger. From here on out we do things my way. I say look the damn word up to be sure.”

Hermione plucked her pocket dictionary from the bag at her feet and did as he asked. Indeed, she was right. To consummate a marriage meant to have sexual intercourse after a ceremony or marriage rite. They would not be getting off tonight, technicality or otherwise, it seemed.

“Sorry Malfoy but I was right.” Draco moaned under his breath at their misfortune.

“You know, this is your entire fault, not mine. That whole, Don’t stop fucking me EVER comment is what got us caught. They could probably hear it all the way to the floo network.”

“Right. In the future I shall remember to NEVER use that particular phrase again. Are you happy now?”

“Are you kidding? I wish all girls said that. I came so bloody hard after you screamed out.”

“So you are disappointed that all of your trashy girlfriends don’t do that? I hope you aren’t slipping in your efforts my dear,” Hermione said with her own smirk now.

“I’m sure they would yell other things. Of course nobody will be yelling anything at all anymore thanks to your brilliant plan to get married. How’s that working out for you Gum Drop?”

“Fuck you Malfoy. Once again…This was YOUR fault!” Hermione paused. “Why did you ask me about Mildred back in my office?”

“Because she used to be my father’s secretary when I was a kid. And…” Draco paused now. He seemed to be watching a snowflake as it lightly dropped down,landing on Hermione’s nose. “She had a big mouth. Told Father on me once for breaking a piece in father’s dark artifacts collection. Spiteful woman, that one.”

“Well, you might have mentioned that after she and Pansy walked in on us.”

“How could I, what with you lusting after my body such as you were.”

“Ha! I think it was the other way around. I bet your tarty girlfriends don’t call out your name because they are too busy watching your slippery hands. Cause your hands were allover me, perverted husband of mine.”

“How did that feel?”

“What are you babbling about Malfoy?”

“You called me your husband just now. So how did it feel?”

“Maybe you should blindfold me first and then ask me,” Hermione batted her eyelashes at Draco.

“Are you making fun of me. Cause if you are I will have to…” Draco’s face deflated at the thought of no more sex until the case was solved.

“Oh stop it will you? You’re depressing me on my wedding day!” Hermione stood from the bench.

“Whatever Granger. I don’t care. It doesn’t get me laid so say whatever you fancy.”

“Ok. You’re an ass.”

“Nice! And you my lady, are going down,” Draco said tackling her in the falling snow. Hermione looked up at her groom, as he lay perched on top of her in the fluffy new snow. His blonde hair glinted in the luminosity of the moon’s light. Snowflakes sparkled softly in the wisps of his blond hair. His icy eyes bore into her making her feel new and alive. Flat on her back, she traced his angular jaw with her gloved index finger. When she got to his mouth, Draco bit down on the tip of her glove and pulled it off with his teeth. She laid her warm hand against his cold cheek and for a moment, she saw Draco close his eyes and lean into the warmth of her hand. The fleeting moment was something she knew would last forever in her mind. As if sensing Hermione's thoughts Draco snapped to and stood up,brushing the snow off his expensive suit and lending his new wife a hand up.

They traipsed through the powdery snow on a cold December’s evening down the bustling London streets and all was well, at least until Hermione broke into a sudden fit of tears. Draco nervously glanced at her, hoping to hell that she didn’t expect him to do anything about the river that was now cascading down her cold and wind chapped cheeks. Finally, when he tired of hearing her sniffles and wails he grabbed her hand and started across the street. There was a pub with a green neon sign that flashed and flickered.

“Come on. I have an idea.” As they set off across the street, Hermione there was an unexpected gush of wind and then they heard the screeching of brakes. Draco heard it too and at the last second he apparrated them both to the sidewalk in front of the pub. When they opened their eyes they saw a muggle car whiz past as it continued screaming down the icy London streets.

“Fucking hell!” Draco was still holding Hermione’s hand slightly behind him, like a father might do to a child who was standing too close to the curb. Hermione pulled out of his clutches.

“We were almost flattened!” Hermione said stuffing her quivering hand back inside her coat pocket so Draco wouldn’t notice it.

“Yeah. Let’s get off this road. How did the minister say the other Slytherin and Gryffindor couple died? Didn’t he say they died on their wedding day?”

“Thank you for reminding me of it. I was trying not to think about that.”

“Well I dunno about you Granger but I’d really like to know how they died so I can avoid a similar fate. I wish he hadn’t told us about that.”

“Yeah, it was really creepy wasn’t it?”

“Let’s get off the street and get warm before something worse happens. Come on. Then maybe you’ll tell me why you were crying.”

They entered the pub and were immediately greeted by an older man and woman. Hermione shed her coat and gloves and gazed around. The pub was warm and cozy. There were quaint tables for two lining the room and at the back of the building, a picturesque fire roared, filling the cozy room with an inviting warmth. Hermione made a beeline towards the fire where she sat down on the stone hearth to warm herself, while Draco approached the counter. The place was decorated with strings of white lights and wreaths in celebration of the upcoming holidays. After all, it was Christmas Eve. A time of year Hermione normally spent with family and friends. She suspected that the Burrow was in full swing on this night, a place she greatly enjoyed spending time at over the holidays. She sighed and shook her head at the thought of spending her Christmas Eve with Draco Malfoy, her husband. The idea was still so foreign to her. Wasn’t quite the Christmas gift she’d hoped for.

“What, hot chocolate not good enough for her highness?” Draco said smirking at her as he carried two hot piping mugs in his hands. He set them on a table by the window and Hermione sat down across from Malfoy, her husband.

“Next time you can bring me the hot chocolate. Gotta break my new woman in sooner or later. Oh, and in the morning, I like my coffee with two sugars, no crème.”

“Wonderful. Then you will know how to make mine too, since we take it the same.”

“No. That’s not what I meant,” Draco said and Hermione winked at him. There was no sense not trying to have a nice time. They had things to talk about. They would have to come to agreement on some sort of routine when they came upon people they knew, and she wanted to axe the pet names game Draco was carrying on with as soon as possible.

There was another couple sitting across from them sharing a hot apple crisp dessert. Draco sneered when the middle-aged gentlemen stood and took his dates hand,calling her Poopsie as she took his hand to leave.

“Granger?”

“Yes?” Hermione sipped her hot chocolate again.

“Let’s dispense with the pet names. I don’t ever want to end up like that,” he said motioning to the couple as they left through the door back into the cold.

“Oh, they were just being silly,” Hermione said dismissing his worries that they would ever turn out like that. Turn out like that? Hermione had let this whole temporary marriage go to her head. Maybe it was the snow that was playing with her emotions. She had broken down in tears on the street for no other reason then she felt happy walking in the snow with Draco, something she would never tell Draco. He would ridicule her until no tomorrow if he knew that. She would blame it on an ache or pain if he ever asked again and in the future she would not wear her emotions quite so close to her sleeve anymore. Draco was hardly marriage material. He was selfish and smug. He was callous and condescending and he was rude and abrasive. On the flip side, he could be caring and tender, something she knew he tried to hide but was there nonetheless. He was daring and delicious. He was never boring and generally fun to be around.

She was suddenly startled out of her own head. She could hear banging noises and the clattering of dishes from the kitchen and Hermione leaned forward to catch sight of the man and woman, apparently the owners of the tavern, standing at the metal sink together doing the dishes. The elderly man was drying the dishes while his short, plump wife washed. This comforted Hermione in some small regard. While she and Draco’s lives were being thrown into chaotic upheaval, here stood these two people without a care in the world. They looked so caringly into each other’s eyes as they gently passed the plates to one another in silence. It was clear to Hermione that they had probably been in love for years.

“What are you looking at?” Draco interrupted in when he noticed Hermione staring through the swinging doors that led to the kitchen.

“Just that I hope someday I have somebody to share my life with, like they do.” Draco too looked at the couple, the man was humming now while his wife sang softly under her breath, and for once in his life, he decided not to mock Hermione. Maybe he was also feeling vulnerable, but the truth was, it comforted him too.

“Are you having one of those chick moments?” Nope, too good to pass up. Granger would know something was up if he didn’t continue to play the part. “Drink up. I ordered us several nightcaps.” Hermione smiled as she put her face to the warm mug once again.

“Good to see you remembered how to smile,” Draco said. This was out of character for Draco to say to her and Hermione could see that he knew it by the way he shivered and then put on that gruff and cocky Malfoy exterior once again.

“So look. Tomorrow is Christmas. How are we going to handle the whole family get together stuff?” Draco said. He had a point. Hermione was expected at the Weasley’s as her parents were in Switzerland for some holiday skiing. Draco was expected for dinner at The Manor but that left his entire day open. After quibbling over the details (almost like a normal married couple) they finally decided to go to the Weasley’s together and just get it over with. With the announcement by the Minister of Magic via the Daily Prophet on their heels they wouldn’t have time to break the news delicately. They would tell everyone that mattered that they had fallen madly in love and had married on a whim. There was just no time to give the news gently to each family and friend. They would stop by the Weasley’s and then head to the Ministry to meet with Rita Skeeter. Once the interview was over they would try to get in and take a look at that case file, taking advantage of the skelton staff at the Ministry while others enjoyed the season festivities. The sooner they got to work on the case the better.

Draco, who lived in his parent’s guesthouse, was none too enthused to tell his parents at all. He actually preferred that Lucius and Narcissa found out about his nuptials via the Daily Prophet, that way it would cushion the blow before he arrived. Hermione was flabbergasted that he would choose to be away from his family on Christmas but he seemed fine with the idea. She knew it would be hell for him, having to tell his parents he married a dreaded mudblood, whether it was a fake marriage or not, so she decided not to press the issue and to just let him do things with his family the way that he wanted to. She herself would spill the beans after her parents arrived home from abroad. She hoped her own parents would not hate her for their rest of their lives. She was sure they wouldn’t but she knew her mother would feel slighted at not being able to plan her only daughters wedding. Such is life though. There were a lot of things that Hermione and Draco and all of their friends were just going to have to let go of. Ron would take the news the worst, since they had never officially broken up. This presented a slight snag in her plans. She and Ron had not dated in four months but she knew that like a comfortable pair of jeans or an old shoe, Ron expected her to be at his beck and call whenever he pulled his head away from work at the joke shop and decided he missed Hermione. If Draco and Hermione could get through this Christmas alive it would be a true Christmas miracle.

SLAM

Hermione jumped at the sight of a few college frat boys that had casually sauntered into the tavern. There were three muggle boys and they were being loud and carrying on. They sat down at the bar and ordered their drinks. She caught one of the boys staring at her but she turned away as Draco pushed another shot of muggle whiskey in front of her. The conversation began to loosen up and so did Draco in fact. He was actually cracking jokes again and Hermione found herself enthralled in with his childish antics. He looked dashing in the dimly lit room, his silvery eyes reflecting the light from the stained glass swinging shade above them, and his soft blonde hair that framed his face so pleasingly so, was almost calling to her to touch it.

“Stop looking at me like that Granger. I can see what you’re thinking.”

“Are you are a master Legilimens, Dragon Love?” Hermione said cheekily.

“No. I just know how to read a girl that wants to get in my knickers. Years of training.” He leaned back in his chair, a playful smile crossing his delectable lips.

“You dirty slut,” Draco said now pushing his hand across the table so that their fingers were lightly touching.

“What?” Hermione said finally coming to her senses.

“You have that “don’t..stop…fucking..me…EVER…Draco” look about you.”

“Oh please…I do not!”

“Drink up and I’ll order us a new round.”

“You go ahead. I’m starting to feel a little lightheaded.”

She peered out the frosted paned glass window at the snow blanketed ground. Large flakes were now falling making the London streets look serenely beautiful. Everything looked so clean and perfect and for a moment, she felt her confidence and optimism returning.

“Do you want to dance with me by the fire?” One of the local boys was asking her for a dance. She spun in her seat to face the boy. He had mop of brown hair on his head and wore striped rugby shirt. There wasn’t even any music playing but then she noticed an old jukebox in the corner by the fireplace so she looked up and politely began to tell the boy thanks but no thanks when Draco swaggered up behind the smitten muggle.

“That’s my wife you are getting fresh with. Take a hike.” The young man left and Draco sat down, but this time he pulled his chair over so it was next to Hermione’s.

“Was that a show of jelousy Draco? Should I be flattered?” Hermione giggled.

“I prefer you call me Dragon, Sweet Pea, and no nothing of the sort. I just couldn’t resist saying it. Thought I would see how it felt,” Draco laughed heartily, the booze clearly starting to go to his head. It wasn’t like him to be this forthcoming, especially with Hermione.”

“And how did it feel my dear?” Hermione decided she did indeed want another shot. Draco was ahead of her and seemed to actually be enjoying himself. Deciding that a happy Draco Malfoy was much better than a whining and moody Malfoy she tilted back her head and took another shot of whiskey. What she hadn’t counted on was the man-sized belch that followed.

“Granger! I can’t believe I married such a shrew!” Draco smiled and Hermione started to laugh.

“Whatever do you mean? For the lady is not capable of such purely masculine attributes. I fear you have had too much of the drink tonight my darling ball and chain.”

Draco snarled, mockingly and then reached across the table to grab her wrists. He held them firmly in his grasp as he massaged her arms with his fingers. Before she knew it he was kissing his way up her arms to her face, Hermione’s eyes closed basking in the sensations that Draco had so gracefully taught her to appreciate. Suddenly a woman cleared her throat.

“Newly married?” The woman said with a hint of a cockney accent. Draco stopped kissing Hermione and they both faced the tavern owner with quizzical expressions.

“How did you know?” Hermione asked inquisitively.

The woman laughed and glanced at her husband that was now descending a small set of steps that led to the upstairs of the tavern.

“How long would you say Ernest?”

“Two days at the most, maybe ,” the man said to his wife as they now both stood at Draco and Hermione’s table. The jingle bells on the door rang as the boys left the tavern, their forms vanishing into the snowy white out. Ernest locked the door and turned the open for business sign around on the door. He then began shutting the lights off in the tavern.

“Are you sure? My gut tells me…less than a day.”

“Well then there is your answer. Matilda is never wrong about these things.”

“Well don’t keep us in suspense. Do tell us how you two lovebirds have been hitched?” Both tavern owners were now staring at Draco and Hermione, waiting for an answer.

“Oh, you have the wrong idea,” Hermione said but Draco cut her off.

“About two long hours now. How did you know though?”

“You both have a glow about you. You will understand when you are older.” Hermione watched as Draco began looking at his clothes. She laughed aloud and Draco stopped searching for the glow that he was sure must be like a thick layer of residue over his skin because of the way the woman knew that they were newlyweds and had even nailed the time.

“Ernest get the camera. I’ll bet these two young lovers would like a picture to remember this night by.”

Ernest retrieved a camera from behind the bar and handed it to Matilda. Draco threw Hermione's legs over his own and then pulled her into a tight embrace as the woman snapped the picture.

“I put fresh towels in your room. It’s just at the top of the stairs. There are snacks in the icebox should you get hungry. Best be off to bed now. Congratulations.”

The two walked arm in arm up through the kitchen to their living quarters, leaving Draco and Hermione alone in the bar with only the firelight.

“What did they mean fresh towels?” Hermione asked.

“They rent out rooms upstairs. I got us one figuring it was late, you are drunk and the snow is coming down really hard.”

“I’m not the drunk one,” Hermione said and at that precise time hiccupped.

“Oh, of course not, not the perfect Hermione Granger. You know the one who convinces me to marry her and then viciously imprisons me in a sexless marriage?”

“Yes, she is a vile and wicked woman. How dare she deprive his majesty Prince Mimbo from his precious harem of trollups.” They heard bounding from the stairs and Matilda handed Draco something and then turned and left again.

“What’s that?” Hermione leaned over and there in a moving frame was a picture of Draco and Hermione on their wedding night. Hermione was so enthralled with the picture that she failed to notice what Draco did immediately.

“You take good pictures,” Hermione said running her fingertip over the image of Draco holding her tightly at the table.

“Yes, especially moving ones where you can really see my sparkling eyes.”

“Yeah, you can see your eyes sparkling,” Hermione said not picking up on his obvious clue.

“This is going to be the longest dryspell I’ve ever had Granger.”

“What do you mean?”

“Are you always this absent minded or is it the effect I have on you?”

“What on earth are you rambling on about Malfoy?” The drink was going to her head and she was tiring of his banter.

“The picture moves Granger. They are wizards not muggles like we thought.”

“Oh my gosh you are right! I didn’t even notice. Let me see it again Draco?”

“No. It’s mine.” At that, he stuffed the wedding photo into his coat while Hermione crumpled her nose in protest.

“Come on Granger let’s dance.”

“Let’s not. It’s late and I’m tired and we need our wits about us tomorrow. I hope to ask Harry for information about the murder so we can get this case figured out. Sooner the better, right?” Hermione said holding Draco’s hand anyway as he pulled her over to the jukebox.

“You got that right. I miss my freedom. I am looking forward to one thing about tomorrow though,” Draco said with a devilish grin.

“What?”

“The expression on Potter’s face when you introduce him to your new husband.”

Their exchanges were light and airy as they both looked through the song choices on the jukebox. For the first time in their miserable existence, they were actually getting along. Of course, Draco would say something unpleasant in a moment or two that would screw it all up but for now, they were making do with what they had.

“How about this one,” Hermione said, remembering that she liked the melody in the song.

“I guess its fine. I don’t know what any of these muggle songs are.” Hermione shoved some money it but the thing didn’t start. Draco flicked his wand and the jukebox lit up. An old vinyl record dropped and began to play the song Beast of Burden by the Rolling Stones.

“There are muggles here. You shouldn’t openly do magic like that.”

Draco pulled her hard into his chest and whispered in her ear.

“Did you want a wedding dance or not?”

“Yes but…”

“Shut up and dance Granger.”

He began to sway to the music. Hermione placed her hands on his shoulder but Draco moved them up to his neck and wrapped his entire arms around her middle, leaving no space between them. Her legs were tangled in his as they swayed together in front of the crackling fire.

Am I hard enough
Am I rough enough
Am I rich enough
Im not too blind to see

His mouth was hard on her neck as he tilted her back and kissed his way down her chest

Ill never be your beast of burden
So lets go home and draw the curtains
Music on the radio
Come on baby make sweet love to me

His leg was between hers as he pushed her legs tighter against his body. He massaged and groped her ass, pulling her in and out and around in a circular motion and then back again until she was nestled tightly against his body again. She could feel his hardness through his pants pressed snugly against her abdomen and then he went in for the kill.

Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, girl
Youre a pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty girl
Pretty, pretty
Such a pretty, pretty, pretty girl
Come on baby please, please, please

His lips closed over hers and he inserted his tongue lightly into her succulent mouth. She responded with her tongue and their kiss ignited a fire within . He slid his hands down the back of her skirt and squeezed handfuls of her ass as Hermione made small circles with her hips grinding herself against his manliness. They were lost in oblivion.

“Draco, we better stop or else I’m going to say something that I don’t want to say.”

“Don’t say it.”

“I won’t. Don’t you say it either.”

“I’m not. It’s just sex we want. We just click really well in bed Hermione. That’s all it is.”

She kissed him again and he scooped her up into his lean muscular arms and carried her up the stairs. It was just the whole scene. Quaint little tavern,firelight,sexy music and Hermione. God, Hermione. She was blowing his mind. When she kissed him he felt powerful like he could feel an atom bomb inside of him ready to detonate. The orange glow of the firelight that cast that soft glow over her face was playing tricks with his mind. Granger. Fuck buddy. Hot and attractive woman and now wife. This did not compute. He laid her down on the bed and then told himself to resist.

“Aren’t you going to lay down with me?”

She knew what would happen if he did. Why was she asking him that? He wanted to lay down. He knew he shouldn’t lay down with her. Was this some ploy to get him to fuck her? Did she want to be married to him as much as he was in love with the idea of her being his wife, right at that very moment? No. He would show some restraint. No sooner had he thought the word was he now thinking about their fun in the Room of Requirment where Hermione had restrained him to the bed and then proceeded to touch him in ways that no woman had ever dared to touch him.

“I think I need a shower.”

“Me too.Don’t use all the hot water.”

“No worries there. Won’t need any of it tonight.” Draco peeled his clothes off and turned on the cold water. If this didn’t work he was definitely going to be back in here masturbating. He laughed out loud at the irony. Draco Malfoy having to masturbate on his wedding night.

“Everything alright in there. I thought I heard something?”

She’s Pansy Parkinson. She is Pansy Parkinson just one of your play toys. You aren’t in the mood for her tonight so just settle down. He tried in vain to talk himself down, literally, but it wasn’t working. After a chilling shower, he stepped out and threw a towel around his waist. He stepped back into the snug little bedroom. The furniture was oak and plain. Not at all like his home at the Manor that was cold and had the appearance of being not lived in. This place was tucked away and secret just like his marriage. The thought that nobody knew where he was and whom he was with just made him hotter for Hermione. Still, there was something missing and he couldn’t put his finger on it. They could have all kinds of fun here and nobody would ever know. They wouldn’t have to worry about Minister or the Slytherins or anything or anybody. He had to have her tonight.

“I see the shower did not work wonders. Well lay down. There are other things we can do to alleviate certain rising problems,” Hermione said at seeing his erection as she pulled back the blanket, welcoming him into their marital bed. Draco raised an eyebrow and smirked as he discarded the towel. No sooner had he touched the mattress did he figure out just what it was that was missing.

“Excuse me. I just remembered what this place is lacking. Don’t go to sleep now? You will wait up for me right?”

“Where would you be going on a night like this? I’m offering my sexual services to you.”

“I know and I must really be drunk. Try not to miss me too much.”

POP

And he was gone.

He was now standing in the sitting room at Malfoy Manor. There were hundreds of presents for himself and for his cousin that was living in the mansion now.

“Lumos,” he whispered and his wand lit up.

He conjured a bag and then starting stuffing presents by the handfuls into the bag. He gathered many of cousin’s presents into the bag and then several of his own. Nobody would ever know, as the house elves were responsible for most of the shopping and the preparations. He stopped with a satisfied look on his face before grabbing the Christmas Tree in haste and then spinning on his feet.

POP

He was back in his room. Hermione was sound asleep on the bed. He set the tree and the presents with a little magic and then crawled into bed with his….wife? He shivered at the thought before pulling her onto his chest. He wanted to feel her silky skin against his. He had never slept with a woman, just slept. He hoped it was all it was cracked up to be, because he knew the sex was…which he was not having.

Review!? I have a whole lot planned for this fic. They will be back at the University again, just a hint and I have some fun stuff planned. This is going to be longer then the first Broomsticks as it is a full lovestory with a little of everything in it. Review if you like it and thanks!