I Dare You

Hermione found it hard to concentrate on the vault she was supposed to be cracking. Malfoys hot breath tickled the back of her neck as he leant over to watch her work her magic, well skill. It was quite ironic really that such a straight laced bookish goody two shoes would excel at something deemed so unethical. She found something comforting and ultimately satisfying listening to the clicks of the mechanisms until they released. But it was taking more than her usual skill to figure out Pierre Beldam’s safe.

“Seriously Malfoy, shouldn’t you be scouting the area making sure that, you know, we don’t get caught.”

“I’m quite happy here,” she heard the grin in his voice and stifled a groan.

“Well I can’t work with you hovering over my shoulder; you’re panting on me like a dog. It’s distracting.”

“Ah, I can understand that.”

“What?”

“I’m distracting; it’s not your fault. I mean, when you are in such close proximity to perfection it can happen.”

Hermione snorted and rolled her shoulders then shoved back slightly until Malfoy stepped away. Instantly the fuzz which surrounded her brain lessened, and as he walked over to the door to check for guards she finally got her groove back. Draco’s playful side she decided was more deadly than the Slytherin Sex God. It would literally be the death of her. She was used to a smirking conceited know it all, but this was blowing all her pre-conceived notions of him out of the water. And she wasn’t sure she was ready for that.

Damn it, the dare she’d accepted was making it hard to function. She could only think about the coming evening with growing dread and mounting anticipation. It was just sex if she honestly looked at it; there was no way it had to be any more. She ignored the small voice in the back of her brain which demanded her attention. It was tapping insistently at her resolve; no she told it I do not like Draco in a romantic way. She looked over at his broad shoulders and lowered her eyes taking in his tight ass as he leaned forward to look out the door, she sighed deeply. Physically he was gorgeous and if she went to great pains she’d admit she found his boorish humour and practical jokes funny. And he definitely proved a worthy adversary in the war of the words. But so far that was all she was willing to admit to anyone or even herself.

“I got it.”

The click of the safe resounded through the room and she carefully tugged at it whilst twisting the knob. It gradually opened and suddenly in front of her was the sword of Azoth, still in its original sheath. It was made from lava rock heated and cooled a thousand times until a stone blade of such beauty was forged that a wizard placed a spell on it so the bearer would always win their battles. Obviously in the wrong hands the sword would be catastrophic. Pierre had placed it on the black magic market and was currently taking bids from all over the world, mainly from unsavory people who wished death and war onto the planet. It was detrimental that Hermione and Draco take this back to Gringotts and then it be placed in the bowels of a forgotten vault.

“Well grab it quick because I don’t think we are as alone as we would like to be.”

“What the hell does that mean Malfoy; speak English, not in riddles.”

“It bloody means if we don’t get out now, big brawny guards with guns are going to make escaping near on impossible.”

“Oh crap,” Hermione breathed. Time was of the essence and she didn’t have any to spare to properly store the sword in the titanium case they bought. Without even considering the consequences she strapped the sheath to her waist, it fit perfectly. The sword hung down in a slight arc from her hip. Strangely enough it didn’t hinder her movements but seemed to shift with her actions. She heard a low growl and looked up to see Draco staring at her fixedly, her stomach flip flopped as his mouth moved into a half smile.

“Merlin Granger, you look like a hot pirate, hmm great fantasy but we have no time, let’s go.”

Draco screamed past grabbing her upper arm and they ran for the second door in the office. As they burst through it the other door slammed open and three burly men clambered in. Hermione had a glimpse of angry dark eyes before she was running down the hallway.

She was glad to see Malfoy had the foresight to grab the backpack; it had everything they would need to escape. She hoped. But as they ran down rabbit warrens aptly named corridors Hermione began to despair. She could hear the guards’ heavy footfalls not far behind; they had the advantage of knowing the building. She and Draco didn’t.

Halfway down a hall he spun to his right and yanked her with him.

“Where are you going?” She hissed at his back, her arm aching from all his tugging.

“Trust me.”

Hermione almost laughed at the absurdity of it all; five years ago those words would have meant nothing to her. But now she did trust him; you couldn’t do this job and not have faith in your partner. Sure it took all her willpower and a hell of a lot of patience on her behalf to overlook his shortcomings. For no matter how good an operative Malfoy was, he was still a prat. A prat she was willing to spend the night with, if they got out of here in one piece. And by god she was hoping like hell she got a chance to see him naked. Yes, with her life on the line she would admit she was absolutely in lust with one sinfully gorgeous Draco Malfoy. The frightened brain worked in mysterious ways.

“I’m with you.”

He glanced back and nodded at her grinning slightly, happy with her answer. She didn’t know how women survived being on the end of his boyish smile. She was sure struggling. He quickly changed directions until they were in another office. They leant up against the closed door heavily for a second before they heard a thump further down the hall.

“Shit, we have less time than I thought.” Draco swore as he strode to the window and looked down. Hermione heard a few more doors being opened and slammed, the guards were gaining. “Get over here I need to attach the line to your belt.”

With growing horror Hermione looked at her waist, which now held the sword and no utility belt,

“We have a problem.”

“What Granger? We don’t have time to deal with your ludicrous fear of heights.”

Hermione’s eyes flashed, “It is not ludicrous it is a legitimate and crippling condition you pillock. Not that you’d understand what its like to have a weakness. Draco Malfoy, perfect embodiment of everything pureblood, hateful, proud, small minded…”

“Enough, if you hadn’t noticed we have guards who wouldn’t think twice about killing us on our tail, and you stand here attacking me with your prejudices. Now if your problem is not heights what the hell is it?”

Hermione stood gob-smacked, her prejudices, who did he think he was? So what if it was a little harsh, he was the king of saying meaningless spiteful things. Yet she saw the flash of hurt in his eyes before he covered it and she felt wretched. She knew what she said was uncalled for, she was scared and it was making her shoot off her mouth. Hermione was used to verbally sparring with him, but never had she attacked his upbringing. It was no better than him called her a mudblood all those years ago. She’d apologize properly later, if and when they had time.

“My belt, I took it off when I put the sword on. I must have left it near the vault.”

Malfoys eyes slid down to her waist and he scowled. It wasn’t her fault; he knew this and she could see he was thinking of an alternate plan. He began to take his own off.

“Oh no Malfoy; you are not giving me your belt. You take the sword and go, I’ll find someway out.”

He was on her in seconds, hands grasping her shoulders and ice grey eyes met her big brown ones. He shook her slightly, not to scare or to hurt but to get his point across.

“Damn you, I will not leave you behind, not now, and not ever. Get it through your gorgeous head we are partners and that actually means something to me. I will do everything in my power to get you out of here alive. I promise you Hermione.”

She stood shocked, it was the first time he had ever uttered her first name and it took her breath away. Before she could even think about what she was doing she stood on the tip of her toes and pushed her lips softly against his. His lips stilled in surprise, Hermione thought he would back away but then with a deep groan his arms wrapped around her, tightly enfolding her into his strong embrace. His lips felt exactly the way they looked, sinful. And she was lost to the very devil himself.

He lifted her up a little as he deepened the kiss, his tongue dancing around her lips. She opened her mouth slightly and he filled her with his heat. Wrapping her legs around his waist she pushed herself onto his growing hardness. It felt divine with a hint of pure naughtiness. He walked his fingers down the length of her spine, leaving tingling spurts where he touched. He finally made it down and cupped her buttocks squeezing hard. He moaned into her mouth as she sucked greedily on his tongue. Never had kissing anyone ever felt so hot, so perfect. She was slowly losing her sense of being.

Draco’s hand came closer and closer to her heat and she wriggled wantonly, wanting nothing more than for him to run his hands over her leather clad folds. Hermione was lost in a sea of lust, she needed to strip him naked and feel his hot skin on hers. Why in Merlin’s sake had she not given in to her hunger before this? She pulled away vaguely.

“Oh gods Draco, we have to stop.”

He started to place hot open mouthed kisses down her neck and she applied more pressure where their bodies joined.

“I don’t think I can,” was his breathless response.

“Well, well what do we have here? Sorry to interrupt this little sordid interlude, but I do want my sword back.”

Hermione jumped off and away from Malfoy the sword catching on a nearby chair. Her face blazed yet he didn’t let go of her, instead he pulled her back so she was slightly in front of him. One hand rested on her back and the other held her arm, she was overly aware of his presence. They stood together looking awkward and in a load of trouble while Pierre Beldam watched them smiling. His silver hair interspersed with black was neatly combed back from his lined face. He was powerful, you could tell by his stance and the three hired goons at his back.

Draco bent his head slightly and whispered in her ear,

“You’ll be the death of us if you keep distracting me like that.”

She shivered noticeably her heart beating erratically at the seductive note in his voice. Suddenly she couldn’t figure out who was the biggest threat, Pierre or Draco Malfoy. Shaking off the foreboding feeling she wondered if he had a plan to get them out of this situation, since her mind was blank with lust. How he could stay calm and collected was beyond her, and how he could flirt and make her weak at the knees confounded her even more.

“Pierre, I would say it’s a pleasure but I would not want to be called a liar.”

“Smart mouthed as always Draco, it’s a pity you never learned to respect your elders.”

“I respect those who deserve it, no-one less.”

Pierre’s smug smile left his face slowly only to be replaced with a scowl. Shit, Hermione couldn’t believe Draco was baiting the very man they had to outwit. She looked around the room covertly and saw no other exits except the one the guards stood in front of. They were screwed which ever way she looked at it. If Pierre didn’t get his guards to shoot them he would definitely cement their feet and drop them in the Hudson. Damn their companies no wand policy, apparently the magic contained in them would set off sensors; hence no wands on any operation. It had never been a problem until this very moment.

“What a pity, I could have used an ex-death eater like you. But employment aside, I still want my sword back, now.” Pierre held out his hand and waved his fingers at Hermione beckoning for the sword. What should she do? Hand it over without a fight; that would be a quick way to meet death. Or do they fight them with no magic or wands, which was an absolutely preposterous idea. But of course that’s exactly what Malfoy did.

He took a second to wink at her and she watched in fascinated horror as he jumped the table and barreled into Pierre. Hermione soon realized she wasn’t the only one to watch on in shock. None of the guards and especially Pierre himself thought Draco would actually tackle them barehanded. Wizards were not known for their prowess in physical fist fights it was all wand battles and curses. Pierre was slow to react and Draco took him out with his shoulder like a football player, and momentum kept him going for the guards. Pierre spun around and fell against the large mahogany table which dwarfed the room. The first guard fell to the floor with Malfoy sprawled over the top of him.

Pierre’s face was a mask of murder as he glared back at Draco who was now engaged in a wrestling match. The other two guards still looked on in surprise not sure whether to join in or watch. Pierre made a move and Hermione saw a wand in his hand, it was at that moment she knew watching would not help them escape alive.

She reached over the table and grabbed Pierre’s tie and when he grunted in astonishment she did something she hadn’t done for a very long time. She punched him in the nose. He barely flinched; it was obviously more effective on teenage boys than full grown men. His angry blue eyes bored into hers and she felt a sliver of true fear break through. They were in over their heads with this older wizard, they needed a miracle. Hermione went with brute arrogance instead, after all she’d learnt from a master.

“You leave your wand sheathed or I’ll do more than just break it.”

Pierre chuckled in response and grabbed a fist full of her hair and jerked her across the table. She grabbed her head trying to lessen the pain of hair being pulled out follicle by follicle. She landed with a thump on the floor her hip sparking in pain and face red with indignation.

“Oh your threats are precious, like a little bulldog, all bark and no bite. I know for a fact I could do absolutely anything to you my girl and neither you nor your boy-toy could do anything about it.”

Hermione spared a glance over her shoulder and saw Draco being held back by the three guards. His eyes were a little wild and feral, then it hit her, he was scared for her safety. He promised to keep her alive and now he was trapped not able to stop Pierre. She noticed a small trail of crimson running down his cheek from a cut above his eye. She was furious; no one could hit Malfoy, no one but her.

“He is not my boy-toy, well not yet anyway, and maybe even then he won’t be for long.” Hermione took in a deep breath and mentally slapped herself. “I digress, he is my partner and you just made a huge mistake.”

Pierre laughed loudly at her. “Pray tell me what would that be?”

“You just pissed off the one person holding the sword of Azoth.”

Pierre’s eyes widened in disbelief as his gaze flicked down to her hand resting on the scabbard of the sword.

“You wouldn’t dare, don’t you know what that sword is capable of? Thousand have been slain, Kings and Queens cut down in their prime and wars won by vicious tyrants.”

“And now a smarmy death-eater sympathizer who wanted to make a quick buck will be its next victim.”

The sword felt heavy at first as she unsheathed it in one fluid motion. Hermione had never held a blade before yet it melded to her like an extension of her arm. With a flick of her wrist the blade twanged and held still. She felt no blood lust, no sudden need for war and supremacy. All she wanted was to get out alive with Draco and the sword then return home for a bath. Among other pleasurable activities she shouldn’t be thinking of right at this moment.

“My lord?” One of the guards spoke in low tones trying to gauge what they should do. Continue to beat up on Malfoy or try taking out the angry witch who held the sword of Azoth at their master’s throat?

“Leave them be you fools. You’ll start a bloodshed that will not only end at your own feet but at the very feet of your family and everyone you ever cared about. This sword knows no bounds. Now leave and make sure they exit the building freely.”

The guards released Draco and he slumped slightly before straightening up with his trademark smirk in place. The three men left quickly and quietly under his watchful eye. He let out a small bark of laughter.

“She’s quite impressive when angry isn’t she Pierre. But never mind you aren’t the first to lose yourself to Hermione Granger’s wiles.”

The sword was still level with Pierre’s throat and he swallowed loudly, fear and loathing obvious in his hooded gaze. Hermione was no sadist but she loved the sensation of power the sword had given her. It flowed through her veins, but since the fight never happened the rush was ebbing. It was a good thing too, she didn’t want to get used to the heady feeling, it could get very addictive. She took a step back and sheathed the sword with a snick.

“And by the way Pierre, I did my research like all good operatives. The wielder of Azoth picks the battles to be won. I didn’t want world domination or death; I just wanted to beat your arse”

With a smile and a flick of her hair Hermione grabbed Draco’s hand and pulled him into the hall and the waiting elevator at the end of it. As the doors slid shut Draco leaned heavily against her and with a small smile said,

“Love, you sure know how to make an enemy. I’d better watch my step tonight and be good.”

Her heart thumped against her rib cage, she was really going to do this, no backing out.

“Oh I don’t know Malfoy; maybe I want you to be naughty. Actually on second thoughts I dare you to be.”






A/N: Hi everybody! I just want to say thank you so much for the great reviews I received for the first chapter! It made my day reading them and I’m so glad everyone likes it so far. This chapter was more of a plot filler, I always liked a bit of action interspersed with all that sexual tension, so I hope it didn’t put anybody off. That said the next chapter will be pretty steamy, it’s what the first two were building up to. So just a warning if people don’t like that sort of naughty thing! ;) So a big thanks again to all that took the time to review!!