Mastering Temptation

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE: Secrets Take Their Toll







New Years Eve~





“How long are you going to pout?” Severus sat on Hermione’s bed and watched her as she gathered a few things and tossed them into an overnight bag.





“I’m not pouting.” She said, shoving her undergarments into the bag.





“Yes you are, go ahead and yell at me, I know you want to.” He said, crossing his ankles and folding his hands behind his head as he watched her.





“No, Severus, I don’t want to yell at you.” She said softly, shaking her head.





“You are upset that I won’t go to the Malfoy’s New Years masquerade with you, don’t deny it.” He said.





“I’m not denying it, Severus, I’m just opting not to argue with you about it.” She reached into her closet for the garment bag that held her gown for the party.





“Perhaps you should. We haven’t had an actual argument; maybe it would be good for us to give it go.” He drawled.





“I don’t want to argue, I want you to take me to the party and kiss me at midnight the way everyone else will be kissing their significant others.” She snapped. “But instead I’ll go alone and stand off in the corner when the clock strikes twelve. Though I could probably count on Draco or Lucius for a New Years kiss, I want you.”





Severus felt the sting of guilt begin to edge in and reached out for her when she passed by him after retrieving her jewelry from the bureau. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her onto the bed so that she was draped across his lap.





“Do you think I don’t want to be the one to kiss you at midnight?” He asked, pushing her hair back from her face. “I just don’t like events like this and it isn’t as though you and I can actually be there as a couple anyhow.”





“I guess this whole secretive thing is starting to wear on me, Severus. I’m crazy about you and I can’t share that with anyone else.” She said softly, staring down at the silver locket she now wore around her neck, a gift from Severus at Christmas.





“You can share it with me. I’m thrilled to hear how you feel about me.” He said, pressing soft kisses against her cheek.





“And I love telling you how I feel, but I also wish I could tell my friends how much I enjoy being with you, how happy you make me.” She said, turning her face towards him so that he could kiss her lips.





“I’m not making you very happy right now.” He said, brushing his thumb over her chin and along her jaw.





“I’ll get over it.” She said softly, kissing him again before sliding from his lap. “I need to get going; I promised I would oversee the setup for Lucius.”





“Will I see you when the party is over?” He asked, feeling like a first class prick for not accompanying her.





“I’m staying over at the Manor tonight; I have my own rooms in the family wing.” She said, bending down to grab a pair of shoes from the floor and shove them into her bag. “I probably won’t be home until sometime tomorrow afternoon. I can owl you when I get back if you want.”





“Please don’t be upset, a mhuirnin.” Severus said, reaching out to slide his hands along the side of her neck. “I don’t like you walking away with this between us.”





“It’s not between us, Severus. It’s just me being melancholy, don’t worry about it.” She offered him a tiny smile and leaned forward to kiss his lips gently. “I’ll miss you.” She whispered.





“And I will miss you.” He said, tangling his fingers in her curls. “And no kissing the Malfoys, or any other wizards for that matter.” He said possessively, tightening his grip in her hair slightly.





“I don’t want anyone’s kisses but yours.” She said, whimpering slightly at the instant arousal that flashed through her.





“Good, don’t forget who you belong to, Hermione.” Severus whispered just before he captured her lips in a soul stealing kiss that left her head spinning and her heart racing.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”





Hermione couldn’t say anything as she watched him walk out of her room. She plopped onto the edge of the mattress and stared at the empty doorway completely dumbfounded as she tried to regain her composure.





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It was just after lunch when Hermione walked down the hall in the family wing of Malfoy Manor. She had overseen all the arrangements for the party and was ready to have a bit of a rest before time to get ready. When she reached the end of the hall she didn’t go into her rooms but instead knocked lightly on the door across from her, Draco’s room.



“Come in.” She heard him call softly before she turned the knob and walked inside. He had his curtains drawn and was lying on the bed curled onto his side. “Hello, darling.” He said somewhat sleepily as he smiled up at her.





Hermione was to weary to fuss at him over the pet-name so she simply crawled onto his bed and curled up next to him.



“Hey now, what’s this?” Draco asked, putting his arm around her. “What has you seeking out my bed in the middle of the afternoon?”





“I just needed to be held. Can you just hold me and not be a twit?” She asked, plumping his pillow beneath her head.





“What has you so melancholy?” He asked, hugging her closer to him and settling more comfortably behind her. “You’ve seemed a bit off all day.”





“Nothing important, Draco. Though unfortunately for you it seems that you will bring in yet another year with me on your arm and chaste kiss at midnight.” She said.





“I wouldn’t say it was unfortunate, darling.” He said, kissing her cheek. “I take it Severus will not be accompanying you this evening.” He said softly.





Hermione stiffened for a moment and then all the tension left her body at the realization that Draco knew.





“How long have you known?” She asked.





“For a while now.” He said, resting his chin on her shoulder. “I knew he was attracted to you from the beginning, but I only began to suspect that there was more going on the night of your birthday celebration. He can’t hide his feelings as well as he thinks he can, its in his eyes when he looks at you.”





“Why didn’t you say anything before?” She asked. “I’ve been going insane trying to keep this secret, wishing I could talk to someone about it.”





“Well, I wasn’t completely certain until I saw his house pin on your nightstand a few weeks ago. I recognized it because father has one just like it.”





“No one else knows, no one else sees what you see. I’m beginning to wonder if I am imagining his feelings.” She said softly.





Draco pulled the edge of his blanket over her and hugged her tight against him.

“You aren’t imagining it. It’s clear to anyone who knows him well. And I’m not the only one who knows, father figured it out as well.”





“I’m going to turn in my notice at the beginning of term. Ill finish out the school year and then I plan on returning to Lucius.” She said. “Perhaps if we no longer work together, we will no longer have to keep this a secret. Unless of course I am just a warm body to pass the time with.”





“Never think that, Hermione. He can be cold and a right bastard at times, but he would not use you that way. And if he did, I promise you father and I would both see to it that he never even thought of another woman again.” Draco said.





“That’s sweet, Draco.” She mumbled. “Can I nap with you before the party?” She asked, already half asleep.





“Of course you can….on one condition.” He said, rolling onto his back when she turned over to nestle her head into his shoulder.





“What’s that, Ferret?” She asked on the tail end of a yawn.





“Get your cold ass feet off my legs.” Hermione laughed and pressed her feet more fully against his calf before drifting off to sleep.











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I know, I know, some people are going to start wondering about her close relationship with Draco…..but I promise you, they are just very good friends.







Dresoul – wish he’d steal me! LOL