Finding Freedom

After a second truce was declared (or victory as Hermione would have it) both parties realised the day could not be spent naked in bed. It was Draco who suggested a shower and breakfast.
“All right, but you go first,” she said, snuggling into the covers.
“We could go at the same time.” He said.
“I guess. Do we have to go now? The bed feels…safe.” He understood. The current, somewhat shaky terms for their relationship had been set in the bed. She was scared that if they left it, the terms would change.
“Look Granger, when people don’t wash after…ahem…certain activities, it can only lead to problems and I refuse to live with someone who smells of stale sex.” He finished, ruining all previous attempts at delicacy.
“You’re such a pig, Malfoy.” She told him almost fondly.
“Yeah? Well at least I don’t smell like one.”
“Ugh, fine, let’s go,” she relented, following him into the bathroom. The shower was large, so it was not cramped. They took it in turns to stand under the spray and while they regarded each other appreciatively, neither wanted to spoil the almost childlike innocence of the moment by touching. If they did brush against one another it was accidental and when they left the shower they dried themselves but Hermione towelled Draco’s hair and she allowed him to do the same to her. If someone had told her that this would be marriage to Draco a year ago she would have positively cackled, but for some reason this felt natural and she knew that he thought so too.

The breakfast table was set with a simple breakfast of toast and some spreads. Hermione modestly took two pieces and then watched in horror as Draco took six, buttering each on both sides then stacking them using peanut butter and honey between each slice.
“Malfoy, that’s disgusting.” She pointed out, nibbling the edge of her own toast.
“You’re disgusting.” He replied through a mouthful of crumbs.
“Oh, very witty. Bravo.”
“So, Granger, what are we going to do today?”
“We? I thought we were married, not joined at the hip. I was planning to read.”
“What a surprise.” He muttered.
“What was that?” She demanded, looking up sharply.
“I just said that there’s not really anything to read…except for those crappy marriage books.”
“Right, well, what did you have in mind, Malfoy?”
“I think we should go for a walk.”
“A walk?”
“Yeah Granger, I’m pretty sure its an English word to describe the action of using one’s legs to move. I suppose I could be wrong…”
“You know, just because we’re married, doesn’t mean I won’t knife you to death.”
“Good, then its settled, a refreshing constitutional after breakfast.”
“Constitutional?”
“Yes Granger, I believe the definition runs along similar lines to the concept of ‘walk’.”
“Who uses the word constitutional? You sound like my Grandad.”
“Ugh, Granger I’m insulted, you’re comparing me to your disgusting old Grandad?”
“Hey!” And so breakfast continued.

A few hours and many death threats later, the newly weds left the cottage both rugged up and ready for a short hike up to the top of the nearest hill, which according to Dolly, had a very nice view. Draco was carrying a picnic basket that the house elf had forced on them with remonstrations about young people and how it was surprising that anyone survived adolescence. Hermione had expected him to be rude to the creature, but he barely insulted her once and eventually relented to her demands muttering something about the “poor thing worrying itself to death”. So off they set with Dolly’s picnic basket. Draco walked fairly quickly and, being much taller than Hermione, he had much larger strides. Hermione found herself jogging to keep up, a pace which she maintained for the first twenty minutes, but eventually had to give up.
“Malfoy!” She called. He turned and was taken a back by what he saw. The cold had brought colour to her cheeks and livened her eyes. Her hair was wild around her head and she was panting in a way which almost got him hard just looking at her. From where she was standing she saw his eyes darken and watched him smoothly cover the distance between them before cupping her cheek and tilting her head to capture her lips with his. His lips were cool, but his mouth was fiery and she enjoyed the contrast. They kissed for a few minutes until he roughly dragged himself away and continued walking.
“Try to keep up Granger,” he called. “I want to get there before school starts if at all possible.”
Puzzled but not in the mood to analyse the complex web of behavioural patterns and problems that was Draco Malfoy she didn’t respond, simply quickened her pace to follow him. Further up the hill, Draco was worried. He never did anything spontaneous and just this morning he’d already had two tickle fights, an unplanned naked shower and kissed her for no reason at all. The only reason he ever kissed anyone, excepting his mother, was to initiate sex. All this lovey dovey crap with Granger was driving him insane, not because it annoyed him, but because he actually liked it. Whoa, he told his brain, calm down, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I’m still Draco Malfoy. That thought made him feel much better and he continued up the hill without looking back, scared (although he would never admit it to himself) that what he would see behind him would make him forget all over again.

An hour later they had reached the top. The view was indeed exquisite and Hermione gasped when she saw it. Draco wished she wouldn’t make those types of noises because he was scared that he would kiss her again for no reason. Oblivious to her husband’s internal turmoil, Hermione gazed out over their cottage, the lake behind it and the hills on the other side of the lake. It was beautiful and she said so, unsurprised when Draco remained silent. She took the picnic basket from him and inside found a rug that was surprisingly cushiony when laid on the ground, a thermos of hot chocolate and an assortment of sandwiches and cakes, which she laid out before them. Once again Draco found the most disgusting way possible to eat his portion, namely taking at least seven huge bites from whatever poor sandwich had the misfortune of being to his tastes, and then chewing on his enormous mouthful like some sort of animal before swallowing. Hermione shuddered and ate her food in the most dainty manner she knew how feeling that she ought to make up for his ridiculous manners.
“Sorry for walking too fast.” Draco said slowly. Hermione gave him a quizzical look.
“Don’t worry.”
“I wouldn’t have anyway, I only said it to make you feel better.” Now they were back in familiar territory and they both visibly relaxed continuing their banter from breakfast. Eventually the conversation turned to Harry and Ron,
“Why do you hang around with such duds anyway?” Draco demanded.
“Malfoy, those ‘duds’ are my best friends.”
“But why? They’re so…aggravating.”
“Because I happen to enjoy their company.”
“How?”
“What?”
“How do you enjoy it?” He asked.
“Well we have similar interests and well, you know, you have friends.”
“Yeah but my friends are smart and attractive. You’re friends are boneheads.”
“Can you please stop insulting them? They’re my friends and I love them.”
“You love Weasel.”
“What?”
“That’s what you told me at our first meeting, that you love the Weasel. What, did you forget?” He mocked.
“I…did love Ron, I mean I do love Ron. I just… I don’t think we were ever ‘in love’…” For some reason this admission made Draco ridiculously happy, but before he could even scold himself, the rain clouds that had been amassing broke open with a crack of thunder releasing a torrent on the couple. Madly cramming stuff into the basket, they quickly ran back down the hill.

Their speedy efforts had been for nothing and by the time they got back to the cottage they were both soaked. Dolly scolded them like naughty children and ordered them upstairs and into the bath. Neither of them felt uncomfortable bathing at the same time, so, after peeling off their clothes, they both entered the deliciously warm bath. Draco propped against one end of the meagre tub and Hermione reclining against him. She enjoyed the hardness of his chest and was flattered by a similar hardness which she could feel growing under her lower back. Draco meanwhile, looking down over her shoulder couldn’t help but appreciate her breasts which were perfect, smooth teardrops each with an erect rosy nipple. He reached his left hand up to her right breast and cupped it gently before lazily teasing the tip making her groan. Their activities did not proceed beyond this however and after a while they left the bath and dressed in pyjamas. Draco’s were green silk with a black padded silk dressing gown. Hermione’s were a pair of trackies that were fleecy on the inside and one of Mrs. Weasley’s jumpers. Draco couldn’t help but notice that even dressed so simply, she still looked gorgeous, her cheeks still flushed from the bath.

After dinner, at a loss for anything else to do, Hermione convinced (forced) Draco to sit with her and play an old muggle version of the game Guess Who? that they had found in one of the linen closets. They sat on the floor in front of the fire and she explained the rules to him.
“Alright, I’ll start,” she said. “Is your's a woman?”
“No. Is your's…human.”
“Yes, but that won’t help, they’re all-” But Draco had already flicked down at least half his board. She shook her head. “They’re all human, Malfoy.”
“What about Charles! He can’t possibly be. Or Alex. He looks like an ogre.”
“Well, be that as it may, they are all human.”
“Whatever, Granger, you’re just jealous of my early lead.”
“Fine, but its your funeral. Does your's have a hat?”
“No, wait, maybe.”
“Malfoy, the guy either has a hat or he doesn’t.”
“His hair is confusing me. Fine, no hat.” He relented seeing Hermione’s face darken. “You are easily the most exasperating woman I’ve ever met. Is your's wearing an asinine smile that makes you want to vomit?”
“Yes. How am I the most exasperating woman you’ve ever met? That’s quite insulting, considering how many woman you’ve been with…or are with. Does your's have a beard?”
“Yes...and just for the record, Granger, I am no longer with anyone but you. Does your's have some sort of mental defect?”
“No, but,” she started, but gave up when she saw he was once again flicking down characters. “Why aren’t you with anyone else? You were with at least ten before the wedding. Does your's have a moustache?”
“The reason I’m not with anyone is clear, Granger. My father orchestrated this marriage so that he could regain his reputation, it would hardly do for me to be sleeping around while we’re supposed to be happily married. And no, mine doesn’t have a moustache. Does your's?”
“Yes. I’m so glad that I’ve found myself a husband that stays faithful, but only to make our marriage look good. Well I hope your not feeling too deprived, were there withdrawal symptoms?”
“No, Granger there were not withdrawal symptoms, but if there had been I’m sure that last night’s little romp would have alleviated them quite effectively. Is your's Peter?” He asked, looking up to see Hermione’s slender form already vanishing round the corner to the hallway. “Shit.” He cursed.

An hour later he trudged up to the bedroom, dreading what he would find. The lights were forgivingly off so he removed his dressing gown and tentatively slid into bed, lying flat on his back. After a few moments he realised he could hear gentle sobs from the body beside him, and not understanding why, he curled around her and pulled her to him.
“I’m sorry.” He said quietly.
“I always thought I would marry for love.” She whispered.
“I’m a disappointment.”
“Yes.” It was honest and he felt his gut wrench, but he held her tighter.
“I’m sorry.”
“I know.” She turned in his arms so that they were face to face. “There’s no getting out of this though, is there?”
“No. You have a tattoo on your arse to prove it.” They both chuckled.
“I.. I want to make this work, I’ll go insane otherwise.”
“What if we can’t,” he murmured, thinking about his parents.
“I want to try.”
“Okay.” He pulled her too him again and she lay her head on his shoulder. His right hand held her left hand and his left arm curled around her. Stroking her hair gently he sighed and tried not to envision what lay ahead. Slowly they both drifted off to sleep.

*****

The rest of the week passed quickly as they fell into some sort of routine. They filled in time by getting to know each other more. Hermione decided that they should also apologise for to each other for past grievances. He apologised for calling her a mud blood, gloating when she was found petrified and many smaller insults. She apologised for slapping him and hexing him. The slate was now clean and they decided to celebrate with a bottle of Ogden’s after dinner. The celebration quickly became quite merry especially after a friendly game of “Never Have I Ever”. Unfortunately for Draco, Hermione was clever enough to figure that she could easily beat him using his prior indecencies.
“Never Have I Ever…gotten a blowjob in a school broom cupboard.” She said arching her eyebrows as he drank.
“What? You’re not going to give me a detention are you Granger?”
“Never Have I Ever…had sex on the shore of the lake.” He drank again, cursing.
“Never Have I Ever…kissed a member of the same sex.” Once more he drank. “Who?!” She demanded gleefully.
“Urgh, Blaise…once! It was a drunken bet!”
“You are never living this down.”
“Whatever, you won’t remember by the morning anyway.”
“Bet I will.” She said mutinously.
“My turn!” He hiccoughed. “Never Have I Ever not forgotten to hand in homework.”
“Malfoy, that doesn’t make sense.”
“Oh well, just drink anyway.”

Half an hour later and they were both reasonably saturated. They were sitting on the couch, neither wanting to get too close to the fire, just in case.
“Granger…Granger!”
“What!”
“You’re soo pretty.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
“Really really?”
“…”
“Malfoy!”
“Yeah?”
“Really really?”
“Mmmm hmmm.” He was staring at her intensely and then suddenly his mouth was on hers. She smiled against his lips.
“Mmm…feels goood.” She sighed as he moved his body so he was over her on the couch. His hands began to drag up the nightgown she was wearing and hers pulled down his pyjama pants. Then spreading her legs, she felt him pressing down into her. She sighed feeling somehow complete. He broke their kiss to stare down at her, maintaining eye contact. When he was all the way in he groaned softly, still not looking away from her. They set a pace and slowly the tension started to rise. As he came down, she met his thrusts and his hand came between them to massage her clit. She cried out softly, making him suddenly increase his pace. Their eyes never leaving each other’s they cried out in unison as their frenzied pace payed off. The orgasm was intense but neither looked away. Slowly, they came down but Draco stayed inside of her. Flipping so that she was on top, he lay back against the couch and pulled her to him so that she was lying on his chest. She reached to the ground and found a throw rug which had been disregarded earlier. She pulled it over them both with the last of her strength and then, with her head on Draco’s chest, she listened to his steady heart beat as she drifted off to sleep.

The next morning dawned bright and early. Hermione awoke still lying on Draco’s chest. His cock was still inside her, hardening slowly. It was probably what had woken her. She pushed herself off his chest so that she was straddling him and reached down to her clit, rubbing it slowly. Warm bliss woke Draco from sleep and her looked up to see Hermione, wantonly riding him as she touched herself. He swooned and almost passed out before telling himself firmly that he could not miss this. She was still unaware that he was awake and he felt almost voyeuristic watching her. She rode him without shame until, crying out his name she climaxed, opening her eyes and seeing him looking at her in amazement. Her climax triggered his own and she smiled, feeling him pulse within her. Sitting up as well, her pulled her down into a kiss which was quickly broken.
“Urh! Morning breath!” She cried, jumping off him, giggling.
“Way to spoil a moment, Granger.”
“Brush your teeth Malfoy!” She said, grabbing his hand and dragging him upstairs to the bathroom. They showered together as usual, but this time he backed her up against on of the walls and, kneeling down on the shower floor began to kiss and lick at her pussy. She pulled his head towards her and groaned, but then remembered something. Pull his head up she switched their places then, kneeling down herself, she covered his dick with her mouth. He reacted loudly, so she continued, swirling her tongue round his tip and then sucking him further into her mouth. He didn’t last long, but she didn’t mind, his girth had made her jaw ache. When he came into her mouth she swallowed it all making him groan even louder. She smiled up at him and he felt the bottom fall out of his stomach. When she stood, he hugged her to him and she ran her hands along his hard back and down to his taut arse placing her right hand over his tattoo. His hand reached down to cover her tattoo and they sighed as the stream of the shower cascaded between them.

*****

By the end of the week, Hermione was very sad to be leaving marriage camp. She surveyed the lounge room, trying to find a place they had not done it and spied an occasional table that both had been certain would brake.
“Granger! Are you ready, its time to go!”
“Yeah, coming!” She called.
“Yeah, well come on then!”
“I just said I was coming!”
“Not yet but you will be,” he said from behind her, before grabbing her arse.
When they finally port keyed back to the mansion half an hour later, the occasional table was well and truly broken.

*****

Ta Da! New Chapter! As promised the next one will contain a turn of events becuase this one was sickeningly happy.

One of my lovely reviewers commented on Draco using Jesus: I thought it might grate on some people, but I feel uncormfortable using deities like Circe, because they don't convey the same meanings to me. I chose to keep it muggle because the feeling behind the words would be communicated, however, I have kept all Jesuses (Jesi?) out of this chapter...I hope. If anything else is grating, let me know. Some things I won't change, but I may twinge.

Another darling reviewer wanted to know about death eaters/vindictive lovers: There will be no deatheaters (unless you count former ones). This is because I am not a good enough author to write about the problems inherent to a marriage between chalk and cheese, or as I like to call them Draco and Hermione, at the same time as staging the final battle between good and evil, light and dark etc. etc. So, no deatheaters here, sorry. The vindictive lovers may get a speaking part, but I doubt it. They aren't much fun and I don't want to have Hermione moping about anything as trivial as some Frenchie in a nurse's uniform...she's gonna have much bigger problems. Still, good suggestions.

Anyway, I know that some of you will not be pleased that intimacies were reintroduced after lots of whiskey and I understand that you may be all like "dear author, you are trivialising the beautiful act of making love that happens between two people." Unfortunatley for you guys I don't feel that way and its my story *cackles maniacally*...but seriously, i do apologise if I just wrecked it for you. Anyway keep up the good reviewing my lovelies!!!!!