Beautiful Disaster

Thanks to Kim for betaing this for me.

*~*

Draco was seated with Hermione in front of his fire. They were lying against the pillows that usually occupied the sofa but were now scattered over the floor for a more comfortable space. Hermione’s head was rested on Draco’s bare chest, her fingers tracing over the veins in his arm. His hand was stroking through her curls, and they were both covered with a slight sheen of sweat from a previous round of love making.

It had actually been over a week and a half since she’d really seen him, as Hermione had insisted on studying for NEWTs and practicing spells with Harry and Ron. Draco had been less than happy about the situation, but she had promised him that morning in Potions class that she would make tonight only about them. So in the name of fairness, Draco felt quite justified for practically pouncing on her the very second she walked through the portrait hole. They hadn’t even been able to make it to the bed, and he took her right on the rug in front of the fire. Hermione felt that it might have been romantic if she’d taken the time to truly appreciate her surroundings and not the fact that Draco was removing her clothes faster than any spell ever could.

She felt his contentment washing through their bond, and she smiled as she closed her eyes for a moment. “Mmm, Draco,” she said softly.

“Yes, love?” He asked softly.

She placed a kiss on his chest and hitched her thigh higher. “I’m sorry I’ve been gone so long.”

He tucked his arm beneath his head and stared at the ceiling. “I know. You have other commitments besides me.”

She sat up beside him and placed a hand on his chest. “I just feel like we’re rushing towards the end of our time here, and there’s so much left to do. The NEWTs, the party, the inevitable battle between Harry and Voldemort…” Draco winced as she said his name and she frowned. “I’m scare of what happens when it all ends and we’re not able to see one another every day. It’s going to be very hard to get together, and I don’t want to be parted from you. Not now.”

He took her hand in his and brought her palm to his lips, kissing it gently. “We’ll figure something out, Hermione. We have a whole host of people to assist us, and I will not allow us to go for a long period of time without seeing one another. Besides, it’s still a month away. We have plenty of time to work something out.”

She sighed and bit her lower lip. “But I just don’t want to lose what we have.” He smiled and pulled her down to him. He brushed his lips against hers, softly stroking his tongue against hers. She pulled back briefly. “You won’t distract me,” she said, even as she closed her eyes and brought her lips back to his.

He rolled her to her back and slid between her thighs, his erection brushing her stomach as he braced himself on his elbows over her. He placed several kisses along her chin, nose, and stopped at her lips once more. He whispered against her skin, “We’ll never lose this. We always have one another. We’re Mates, Hermione, and that’s more powerful than distance.”

She closed the distance between them, wrapped her arms around his back, and raked her nails down his pale flesh. Then, Hermione pushed him to his back, and moved over him, rubbing herself against his erection, eliciting a moan from him. He gripped her hips in his hands as she sat back and reached between them to guide him inside her. They both sighed as his filled her, Hermione bracing herself on his chest. This was a new position for her, for them together. The few times they’d had sex, he’d been on top and had guided their thrusts, but now, she felt the power of the situation and began moving her hips experimentally, moaning as he hit a particularly sensitive spot.

Draco found her pace to be erratic and slow. He wanted so much to grasp her hips and speed her up. He didn’t, however, and instead moved his hands over her soft skin, memorizing every part of her body. Her breasts lightly swayed as she bounced and Draco couldn’t resist the urge to touch the stiff peaks and received a low groan from her at the contact.

“You’re fucking perfect,” he said as he watched her move. She gasped at his words, never thinking that anyone could find her perfect. She felt sweat at her nape and wondered at it briefly before he thrust up against her. Hermione looked down at him, her hair falling to her face. She watched as Draco’s head was thrown back, the muscles in his neck stretched, and his hands made their way down to her hips and guided her into a smoother, steadier rhythm. She slid her hands over his chest, up to the corded muscles of his neck, his jaw, over his lips where he sucked a finger into his mouth and teased it with his tongue. He opened his eyes and looked up at her and they were caught in a moment, just staring at one another, brown eyes merged with dark grey, their bodies stilled, feeling more than just their physical connection, but the invisible one as well. Their bond hummed between them, transferring the overwhelming sensations of being complete between each other.

She experimentally squeezed her inner muscles and when he groaned in response, she did it again. She could feel his pleasure pulsing between them, thrumming along the tight cord that bound them for eternity. It was more than she could handle and she fell over the edge, moaning his name for the world to hear. She could feel the tips of her hair touching the dip in her spin as her head fell back and she thrust down on him, riding out her orgasm. He dug his fingers into her hips, watching her as she came, wanting to hold off on his own, thinking of anything to keep from coming. However, he felt her reaching along their bond, like fingers searching out for him, and her inner walls stretched and contracted again, and he was lost.

He felt goose bumps rise over his skin as she lowered herself to his chest. His fingers wove their way into her thick hair and brought her lips to his. He felt loved and sated. His witch was a never ending supply of surprise. Ever since they’d had sex the first time, she showed that she was growing more comfortable with her body and allowing him to see it, to use it, to love it the way he felt appropriate. But he loved it when she let go of herself and was able to tell him what she wanted, either with a look, touch, or doing the action. She was beautiful. She was special. She was his and he knew that he would love her until the day he died. The thought of leaving at the end of term was one he’d been avoiding, and he would not let it ruin what time he had left with her now. But it still existed at the back of his mind, always there, always taunting him with the unfortunate reality that they would soon be parted.

He only hoped that the bloody war came to an end before then, for he didn’t know how long he could truly last away from her.

*~*

Draco was summoned to Dumbledore’s office the following day. Truth was he was surprised he hadn’t heard from the Headmaster sooner about his mother. But he assumed the older wizard was probably having difficulty deciding what to do with her. He knew the Headmaster was right in that he could never bring her to the school as a Professor. That would be a huge signal to the Dark Lord that not all was right in his world. In fact, it would draw far too much suspicion. He didn’t know why, but he trusted the Headmaster to come up with a suitable plan to protect his family.

He entered the Headmaster’s office to find his mother and Arthur and Molly Weasley. Both Weasleys looked at him in disapproval, almost as if they knew what he’d been doing the night before with their semi-adopted daughter. He nearly felt as if he had the word “guilty” written across his forehead. He smiled at his mother, and noticed that she had bags packed. She stood as he entered the room, and he walked over to her and hugged her. He was a good deal taller than her now, and instead of resting his head on her shoulder, as he had done when he was younger, she rested her chin on his shoulder.

“It’s good to see you, my son,” she whispered.

He smiled at her as he pulled away. “You, too, Mother.” He looked to the others in the room. “What’s going on?”

Dumbledore gestured to the chair beside Narcissa and Arthur. “I’ve figured out a solution to your mother’s situation, Draco. I believe you’ve met Arthur and Molly.”

“Arthur I’ve met,” he said coldly and didn’t look at either of them.

“Your mother will be staying with them at the Burrow. Her knowledge about the Death Eaters inner workings will be most helpful, and her connection to your father is something we cannot duplicate,” Dumbledore finished, his fingers steeped in front of him, waiting for a reaction from the younger man.

Draco looked to Narcissa and frowned, wondering about his mother. “You’re okay with this?” He asked.

She shook her head. “No. My ideal situation is to take you, your father, and Hermione and run to the ends of the Earth to never be found again. But your father’s task is an important one and he’s doing all he can to help. I would hate to think that should something happen to me that it would deter him from contributing. And Molly and Arthur are…good enough to open their home to me, and I have been assured by everyone present that it is very safe.”

Draco looked to Molly and Arthur, both of whom looked less than thrilled at the prospect of having Narcissa in their home. “This is happening today, I take it?”

“Immediately,” Dumbledore said. “For her protection.”

Draco nodded. He understood. He knew that should his father be found out Voldemort’s first target would be his mother. But there were still holes in this plan. “Dumbledore, how are you going to explain her absence?”

Dumbledore nodded in understanding and started, “She’s going to send an owl to your father telling him that she’s leaving him due to his inattentiveness and after years she simply couldn’t take it any longer and she will be in American shopping for the unforeseeable future. She’ll send you a missive as well, basically saying the same thing and that she will not return until your father is ready to make his apologies.”

Draco smirked. “Which he would never do.”

“Quite right,” Dumbledore said with a smirk. “Molly, Arthur, Narcissa is able to communicate, briefly, with Lucius through their bond, and it is imperative that should she receive a message from him that you contact me immediately. His information the last few times has been extremely helpful.”

Arthur sighed. “I told you, Dumbledore, I really don’t like or trust this.” Draco rolled his eyes, and Narcissa stiffed beside him. “You’re expecting me to take Lucius Malfoy’s word that my family will be safe.”

“I assure you, Arthur, that Lucius has already saved several of your family members with his information. The risk he is under is not something to be taken lightly.” He looked to Narcissa and gave a warning, “And I would like you to remember, Madam Malfoy, that you are a guest in their home and they are taking you in as a favor. Please do not make them regret their decision.”

She nodded and blushed a bit. “I will be on my best behavior.”

“Very well. Molly, Arthur, I trust you will get Narcissa settled in at the Burrow. Draco, I have some things I would like to discuss with you.” Draco stood and hugged his mother once more. Molly used the Floo out of the office and Draco helped place Narcissa’s suitcases into the grate and then helped his mother step inside.

“Be careful, Mother.”

She nodded. “I will, my son. Remember, Draco, if it turns badly, grab Hermione and run,” she said softly.

He nodded. “I will.”

She took Floo powder and followed Molly. Arthur as next and soon it was just Dumbledore and Draco left in the office. “Have a seat, Draco,” he said as he took his own once more.

“Are you sure this is a good idea, Headmaster? I have the feeling they really don’t want her there.”

“They don’t, Draco. However, they’re doing a favor for me. I think it might be good for your mother to see the other side of how people live. She’s always lived such a pampered life, has never known anything else, but I’m sure Molly will do what she can to take your mother’s mind off her current predicament.”

Draco ran a hand through his hair and sighed. “I suppose as long as she’s safe that’s all that matters.”

He nodded and gave him a slight smile. “Yes, for the moment.” He was quiet for a moment then decided that he would interrogate Malfoy about his relationship with Hermione. He’d heard from several portraits that moans could be heard from his common room, and he hoped that they were smarter than that. “How is Miss Granger?”

Draco smiled a bit, but tried to hide it. He failed, miserably. “She’s good.”

“I believe she was with you last night?” he questioned, his piercing gaze never leaving Draco’s.

The boy squirmed in his seat and nodded slowly. “She was. How did you know that?”

“I should caution you, Draco. The members of your house have yet to retaliate against you, which I’m extremely thankful for, however, I do feel that a threat may still exist. I had a report that moans could be heard from your common room last evening. While I’m giving far more leeway than I ever should to students under my supervision, I understand there are extenuating circumstances. However, I cannot allow you to be found out, especially for the reputation of Miss Granger. Students talk, and they talk to their parents. The term ends very soon, and as it is, Miss Granger is looking at several job prospects that could be ruined with a blackened reputation.”

Draco managed not to look shocked by the words of the Headmaster, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t surprised. He was floored, actually. Dumbledore didn’t want students to hear them and call Hermione anything unseemly to anyone in an influential position outside of Hogwarts. He knew they should have been more careful. He felt a slight color tinge his cheeks; however, his eyes didn’t waver from Dumbledore’s. “We’ll be more careful, Headmaster.”

“See that you do, Draco.”

*~*

Narcissa stood in the middle of the Burrow and looked at her new hosts. The think line that Molly’s mouth was set in was less than welcoming, and the contempt in Arthur’s eyes nearly had her running for the hills. She looked around for a moment and tilted her head at the clock on the far wall. Each hand contained a picture of one of Molly’s family and showed their location. It was truly fascinating. “This is remarkable.”

Molly stepped forward and smiled slightly. “It was a gift from Arthur for our fourth anniversary.”

Narcissa heaved a heavy sigh. “I’m sure it comes in handy to know that your family is safe.”

Molly tilted her head as she looked at Narcissa and nodded. “It has given me a great deal of relief in the past,” she said softly. “Come along, I’ll show you to your room.”

Narcissa followed along behind Molly, her suitcases in her hand. She was led up the winding staircase and shown to a room that had only the basic essentials. Molly entered and fluffed the pillow, and straightened a wrinkle in the sheet of the bed. The sunlight was streaming in through the window where two thread-bare curtains were blowing in the wind. “This is my daughter, Ginny’s room.”

Narcissa could see the traces of a little girl. A small porcelain horse was placed on the vanity, and a doll missing an eye was on top of the armoire. She wondered how long she would have to stay here. “It’s quite lovely,” she lied as she looked out the window into the garden.

Molly fidgeted with her apron and looked at the statuesque woman. Narcissa didn’t look a day over twenty-five. Her hair was smooth as silk, her skin the color of porcelain, and her eyes were a piercing blue, however, they seemed to have lost a bit of life. “Draco’s gotten tall,” she said friendly.

Narcissa looked over at her and smiled. “He has. He looks like his father, just thinner.”

Molly nodded. “Well, there will be five of us in the house, you, Arthur, Bill, Charlie, and myself. I usually serve dinner around six. Are you allergic to anything in particular?”

Narcissa shook her head. “Nothing,” she said, as she took a seat on the edge of the bed. It wasn’t what she was used to, but it was certainly adequate enough. She held her tongue and didn’t say such a thing, though.

“Right,” Molly walked to the door and stopped at Narcissa’s voice. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”

Narcissa sighed and looked at her hands briefly before looking Molly in the eye. “I said ‘thank you’. Really. The less Lucius has to worry about me the better he is at being able to perform his task.”

Molly nodded and walked down the stairs to meet Arthur in the kitchen. “So, how insulting was she?” Arthur asked as he glanced at the stairs.

Molly shook her head. “She was perfectly pleasant.”

“I don’t like this at all, Molly.”

“I know, dear, but this is a favor for Dumbledore. Our house is unplottable and no one would think to look for her here,” she said as she put tea on.

He frowned. “I don’t trust the Malfoys...”

Molly shrugged. “We don’t have to trust them. But both of us know that Dumbledore is doing what he can, and if he asks us to protect her so that we can, one day, live without the threat of death hanging over our heads, then she can sleep in our room for that matter,” Molly said vehemently.

Arthur nodded and placed a kiss on her cheek. “I’ll be home in a bit. I have to stop by the Ministry and do some work,” he said as he reached for his hat and apparated away.

*~*

Lucius and Rodolphus moved towards the lake. It was the first on the stop of possibilities. Lucius had his suspicions of which one was the correct lake and he was purposely leading Roddy on a wrong path. He only hoped that Dumbledore could find it before he ran out of options in which to take Roddy.

They drew up next to the lake. It was quiet, everything surrounding them still. The moonlight reflected off the water, casting shadows of creatures that were not actually there. Lucius held his wand out. These sorts of forests were usually home to things of a terrifying nature; vampires, werewolves, and your assorted Acromantulas. He wasn’t going to take any chances, and at glancing to his side at Roddy, he saw the man was also on guard.

They came up beside the water and watched. Roddy looked over at him. “How do we know if we’re at the right one?”

This was a very good question. Lucius bent down and reached for a rock and tossed it into the water. The ripples from the impact flowed to the bank. He looked to Roddy and cast a detection spell over the water and found nothing. He heaved a sigh of relief. One down, ten to go. They were both standing on the bank of the lake when Roddy pointed out an owl that was swooping towards them, something attached to its leg. It landed in front of Lucius and he removed the missive and recognized Narcissa’s handwriting immediately. She’d already relayed to him that she was safe and not to worry, but she knew better than to send him an owl unless it was imperative.

“What is it?” Roddy asked.

Lucius opened it and scanned over the letter, detailing his many faults and why Narcissa was leaving him. He sought out their bond, making sure that she was still with him, still loved him, and felt relief wash over him at her reassurance. “Narcissa has left me,” he said coolly and tossed the letter into the water.

“Why?” Roddy questioned.

“Too much time away from home,” he said as he turned to my friend. “You see, she doesn’t mind my dedication to our Lord so long as it doesn’t distract from my attention to her. Narcissa has always been very naïve,” he said, as he looked up to the moon. “One less distraction on my part,” he said, as he turned to Roddy. “Let’s go. I’m not sleeping on the ground. We’ll find an inn somewhere.”

Roddy eyed him skeptically. “So, you’re just going to let her go?”

Lucius stopped walking and turned to look at his companion. “Of course not. The second we fulfill our task for the Dark Lord, I will drag her back to the manor by her hair if I have to and teach her that there are more important things than her silly wants. But we have a more important task and I will not let her childishness stand in the way of our achievement.”

Roddy nodded and stepped beside him. “You’re a very loyal man, Lucius. I’m sure you’ll have Narcissa where she is supposed to be when the time comes.”

“Believe me, Roddy. She’ll regret her decision to walk away,” he said as they made their way out of the woods and onto a paved highway. “Come on. I saw a village this way,” he said as he began leading Roddy towards a lighter part of the sky.

*~*

Draco was seated on the sofa in his common room, waiting for Hermione. He hadn’t had the opportunity to tell her of his discussion with Dumbledore nor of his mother going to stay with the Weasleys. He did know that the second she walked through the door, he planned to divest her of her clothes, ravish her once or twice, and then disclose the others. He had a plan. He smiled as the door opened and she walked in. She shut it quickly behind her and moved over to him where he was seated on the sofa.

“Hello,” she said happily and leaned forward to kiss him.

His hands captured the side of her face and held her against him. “Hello to you,” he said with a grin.

She moved over him, one leg on each side of his hips and he captured her hips in his hands. “I’ve missed you,” she whispered.

He moaned as she moved against him. “Merlin, woman,” he said as she thrust against him and began removing his tie and unbuttoning his shirt. He turned on the sofa and stood with her still wrapped around him. “My room,” he said against her lips.

She had one arm wrapped around his neck as her free hand began undoing the buttons of her shirt. He placed her on the bed and she scooted back as he crawled towards her. She finally got the last button of her shirt and pulled it off, followed by her bra. He leaned down and covered one of her breasts with his mouth, licking her nipple. She moaned, and then watched as Draco used his wand to shut the door to his bedroom and cast a silencing spell. She pushed him away slight and tilted her head.

“What was that about?” she asked breathlessly.

His lips caught hers before he said, “I’ll explain later.”

He moved between her thighs, her skirt resting around her hips as he ground his erection against her covered sex. She released a long groan and he smiled against her skin, loving that he could bring that out of her. He slid his fingers beneath her panties and found her slick and wet from her longing for him. He bit lightly on her skin as she moaned, while his fingers danced over her clit.

“Gods, Draco,” she moaned as she tore at the buttons of his shirt and pushed it over his shoulders. “I want you. Now,” she breathed. She reached for his belt and before he even knew it, his pants were around his knees and she was slowly stroking his thick cock. He braced himself over her as her hands explored his body. He looked down at her; she was flushed from her cheeks down to the tops of her breasts. Her nipples were hard peaks, begging to be licked and sucked, and as his eyes trailed lower, he found it a huge turn on that her skirt was pushed up to her waist and her panties were pushed aside. He wanted to take her just like this, and he did.

He adjusted himself over her and rubbed his cock over her entrance before he pushed inside. They both groaned at being joined again. Hermione wrapped her legs around his hips, holding him to her, loving the way he always made her feel complete. It wasn’t until they were like this that she felt she had her whole self. She couldn’t imagine being away from him for very long. She didn’t think she could bear it. She tugged on their bond and felt his residual tug, and then she thrust up against him, her hips leaving the bed to meet him. He began moving inside her, not the usual slow pace that they sometimes started with, but instead it was hurried and frantic and exactly what they both needed.

She pushed him to his back and he was surprised at her strength. She reseated herself on top of him, her skirt falling over her hips, blocking his view of them being joined. He found it erotic to think that he was inside her, deep inside her, and her skirt was blocking it from view. He reached behind her and grabbed the tips of her hair and pulled her head back. He sat up and licked up the column of her throat and found her lips with his. She moaned into his mouth as she thrust down on him, riding him harder, faster every time he pulled almost all the way out then back inside. He slid a hand between them and found her clit and rubbed over it. She shattered in his arms, growing incredibly still before her orgasm over took her. Her sheath tightened around him and he came as well, shouting her name before falling back to the bed. Hermione slowly rested on top of him as his hands smoothed over her back and to the top of her skirt. He found the zip and undid it and he rolled her to her back to help her remove it. Both released a moan as he slipped free from her. He sat up and removed her knickers as well as her shoes and knee socks. He kicked his pants off the rest of the way, having already removed his shoes and socks, and soon, he was settled against the pillows, facing her.

Her hands traced over his then moved up to his face. “You know, you’re amazing,” she said softly.

“Am I? Why do you say that?” he asked with a smile.

“Because,” she started, “you make me not afraid.”

He brought one of her hands to his lips and kissed her knuckles, then the back of her hand, and finally her palm. “I’m glad.”

She let out a slight hum of contentment and then looked him in the eye. “What was the business with the door?” she asked.

He had been so caught up with what they had been doing that he even forgot he had closed it. “Ah, I had a meeting with Dumbledore this morning. But also there was my mother and Molly and Arthur Weasley.”

She sat up on her elbow and tilted her head. “Why were Molly and Arthur there?”

“Dumbledore asked them to house my mother.”

“And they agreed?” she asked. She had to admit that she was surprised. There was no love lost between the Weasleys and the Malfoys. In fact, they both hated one another. She couldn’t imagine that it would be easy for either party.

“Yes. It’s the perfect solution for keeping her safe. No one would ever think to look there for her,” he said practically.

She nodded. “But that still doesn’t answer why you shut the door and applied a silencing spell.”

He blushed a bit. “I don’t think you’ll like this part.” He sat up and leaned against the headboard. “Apparently, last night, we were so loud that some of the portraits reported us to Dumbledore.”

Her mouth fell open she stared at him in shock. “Please tell me you’re joking.”

“I only wish I could. Imagine having Dumbledore tell you.”

She put her head in her hands and felt the urge to cry. “He must think I’m a slag.”

“No. I don’t believe that at all. He warned me that I, we, needed to be more careful because you’re a brilliant mind. That if someone should find out, should hear us, that gossip could get back to some people and it could diminish your opportunities after Hogwarts.” He took her hand in his. “He wasn’t mad or disappointed, Hermione.”

She swallowed down the lump in her throat and felt tears in her eyes. “Draco…what if he’s right? What if someone finds out and tells everyone…and I can’t find anything after Hogwarts. I mean, I don’t want to work for the Ministry, but I would like to have an occupation I can be proud of, and if people think that I’m some sort of ruined woman then…”

He cupped her face in his hands and smiled. “Hermione, relax, okay? We know, now. We’ll just use silencing spells and maybe we can stage some sort of fight in the middle of the hallway, you know, to throw everyone off the scent. Hell, maybe Potter could even land a punch,” he said with a smile. He then turned serious. “I promise you that I will do everything in my power to protect you. Whatever I have to do.”

She nodded. “I know that, Draco. I just don’t want someone to think badly of me. I mean, Dumbledore’s right, if someone finds out they could send word to their parents and then it would be spread to everyone. I’ve been fodder for the gossips before; I don’t want to ever go through that again.”

He brushed her hair back from her face then pulled her to rest against him. “We’ll be extra careful. We’ll only have sex in here and only after a silencing spell is put in place.”

She frowned and blushed a bit. “I sort of enjoyed last night in front of the fire.”

He smiled and ran his fingers through her hair. “We’ll figure out something, love. It’s my one quest in life to give you everything you want.”

She brushed her fingers through the soft hair that led from his navel to his cock. “I’m very lucky.”

He kissed the top of her head. “I have to agree. Now, let’s get to more important things,” he said, as he rolled her to her back.

She smiled up at him, her fingers dancing through his fringe. “Such as?”

“Such as the fact that I don’t feel I pay nearly enough attention to your breasts,” he said as he ducked his head and took one of her nipples into his mouth.

She gasped and thrust against him. “You’re right, that’s more important,” she said in a breathy whisper.

*~*