Broomsticks and Alibis

Chapter 3

The Burrow

The morning sun peeked through the Malfoy’s bedroom. Draco yawned and stretched, forgetting where he was. He rose; eyes still half closed and made his way to the bathroom. He knocked into the Christmas tree and the sound of ornaments clinking and garland rustling roused him. He steadied the tree and then he noticed Hermione stirring. He slipped back into bed, and watched and waited.

“Merlin! Draco,wake up!” She shook him and Draco groaned. “Draco someone was in here last night. Wake up! She nudged him and he rolled over accidentally, on purpose, knocking her onto the floor. He heard a thud and then the muffled sounds of weeping. He jumped up at that worried that he may have actually hurt her in his play.

“Granger? I didn’t mean to knock you so hard,” Draco said leaning over the bed.

“You are a terrible liar,” Hermione said smiling up at him from the floor, her arms folded across her chest. He reached down with both arms and pulled her onto the bed. A struggle ensued that ended with Draco letting Hermione take the upper hand as she straddled him and smacked playfully at his arms and chest. They were laughing and having a jolly good time when Draco grabbed Hermione by her hips and pushed her down over himself. Hermione was wearing only a silk undershirt and a pair of panties. He could see her nipples through the sheer camisole and he rubbed them gently through her shirt as he pushed her down harder over himself.

“I need you. I can’t go through another night like last night.”

“Draco..” she whispered. “It’s Christmas, get up! Somebody brought a tree and gifts!” Hermione leapt from his lap and plopped down on the floor by the tree. “Are you going to tell me how you managed this?” She was poking around through the gifts and admiring the pretty bows and ornaments. “Well, are you going to tell me how Christmas found us?”

“A gift from Merlin himself?”

“Try again.”

“The muggle Santa?”

“One more time,” Hermione was now hovering over him again. She looked gorgeous the way her shirt fell just above her belly button. She had her hands on her hips with a suspicious eyebrow raised. Draco suddenly realized one of the reasons he tormented her so badly and often when they were in school. She looked damned hot when she was mad.

“Elves. Open your gifts.”

“Draco you took this stuff from your home didn’t you?”

“Yeah. So what.”

“Draco, whose gifts are these?”

“Yours and some are mine too.” Hermione began to sift through the packages.

“Who is Lacey?”

“My mother’s cousin, but trust me, she won’t notice that I took them. There were enough presents in the house to give every child at Hogwarts two. Open them.”

“And what about the tree? Don’t you think your family will notice that you took their Christmas tree?”

“Probably, but I don’t care. I wanted you to have a Christmas tree when you woke up.” Hermione’s face softened and she cuddled in next to Draco.

“You are like the Grinch that Stole Christmas. My husband is the Grinch.” Hermione started to chuckle at her own joke. Draco had no clue what she was talking about or so he said he didn’t. Truthfully, he had seen the Jim Carrey version of the popular Christmas classic once while window-shopping with his mother as a boy. He thought the whole idea of stealing Christmas was just so masterful and such a great prank. By this time, Hermione was laughing hysterically. Draco suppressed a smile too.

“I’m really hurt. I go out in the freezing cold, turning down a blowjob from the sexiest witch in the world, with a raging hard on, in order to be sure that my blushing bride has a Christmas tree on Christmas morning… and then she calls me Grinchy?” Draco rolled over on his stomach and pretended to be hurt. Hermione felt bad now and stroked his hair, comforting him.

“Wait a minute. No way! You are full of crap Malfoy. You faker!” Draco laughed and then pulled her back on top of him. She struggled in his arms but he finally pinned her.

“So, did you mean what you said?” Hermione said referring to his comment about her beauty.

“Well it depends on what you think I said. I usually only mean half of what I say.” Hermione laughed again and pushed him.

“Ok forget I asked.” She let it go and fell into his arms. She had wanted to know if he really thought that she was the most beautiful witch in the world, but she also knew that he had probably set her up to take a fall and that slip of the tongue was intentionally said in order to bait her into whatever sex game he had in mind. While half of his conversation revolved around his sex-deprived state, she was positive that one hundred percent of his thoughts revolved around it. “Thank you for stealing Christmas for me. It was sweet if not a little demented. Perhaps you should dress and take the tree back before they wake though.”

“I’ll consider it. Tell me you want me to fuck you.”

“I can’t.”

“How come? I know you do.”

“Yes, I suppose I do.”

“Say it. If you ask me I will do it.”

“Say you love me forever,” Hermione said. It got very quiet after that. He leaned up on his elbow to face Hermione. She looked stunning, not at all like Pansy and the other Slytherin girls who looked scary as hell when they woke up in the morning. He had the misfortune once of walking into the girls bathroom early one morning on his way to the showers. He saw all the girls in their granny panties with no makeup. He wasn’t able to get it up with any of them after seeing their true appearance. He wondered if Pansy used a disillusionment charm on herself because she looked significantly better then what he saw in the bathroom that day. Hermione though, looked fresh and revitalized. Draco made a decision as he gazed into Hermione’s chocolate eyes. He took a deep breath and opened his mouth to speak.

“Alright. I’ll say it if you do Granger. Will you?” Hermione gulped and stared into his eyes. If he was playing another trick on her then he was doing a superb job of hiding his deception because he looked sincere and this scared Hermione more than any Grinch could.

“You told me last night not to say it. Now you want me to say it? Malfoy, you want sex. You are confusing sex with love. Let’s get ready alright. We have a lot to do today.” Hermione got up, leaving a crushed Draco on the bed. He was just about to take the plunge. He was going to tell Hermione that he loved her. True, he wanted her but he knew the price of what he was about to do but she had just treated him like a child that couldn’t make up his own mind. This thought festered in his mind all the while she showered.

“Malfoy I have to stop by my flat before we go onto the Weasley’s. I wonder if we should bring something over. I guess not…” Hermione spouted off whilst in the shower while Draco fumed. He snapped his fingers and the house elves were standing at the foot of the bed.

“Take all of it back to the Manor. If mother or Father asks, tell them you have not seen me.”

“Yes, master Malfoy.” They set to work and by the time Hermione was dried and dressed Christmas was gone from their room.

She exited the bathroom to find Draco dressed in the finest caliber gray suit. He was laying on the bed with his ankles crossed and a brooding expression.

“I will be right back!” Hermione apparrated back to her flat. She wanted a quick change and she didn’t want Malfoy following her there. Too late though, because Malfoy was standing next to her in her living room.

“That was rude,” Draco said with his hands smugly in his pockets as he scanned Hermione’s small cottage.

“Shut up love. I was coming right back after a quick wardrobe change. Don’t want your bride looking frumpy, do you?”

He ignored her and continued to inspect her things. Frustrated Hermione went to change. Draco picked up a picture frame from their fourth year. Hermione looked so innocent and beautiful but standing next to her was the Professional Seeker, Viktor Krum. Draco turned the picture around so he didn’t have to look at it. Several pictures of she and Ron, one with his arms around Hermione’s waist. He picked this one up and sneered before turning that one around too. Her home was small and cozy, much like the room they had shared the night before. He actually preferred her style to his mother’s but it could definitely use some new accessories. There was an old afghan on the sofa and Draco picked it up. He could smell Hermione on it as he inhaled deeply.

“I made that,” Hermione said smiling at him as she suddenly appeared back in the living room with a new change of clothes.

“It’s ghastly,” Draco said coldly.

“You know what…It’s Christmas and I am not about to let you spoil my mood. Shall we go to the Burrow then?”

“If we must,” He said with a snobbish tone.

“You won’t start anything with Ron, will you? It’s Christmas, a time to let bygones be bygones.”

“Shut up Granger. I have no interest in your smarmy little friends. We have to stop somewhere first though. Hold onto me.”

Before Hermione could argue Draco clutched her arm and apparrated them somewhere. Hermione looked around to find herself standing in the most lavish looking jewelry store. There were Egyptian headdresses and old artifacts from the Roman period, silver snakes with emerald encrusted eyes hanging from the ceiling, a statue with moving eyes that stood in the middle of fountain that rained diamonds. Hermione moved in circles, her jaw nearly hitting the floor, as she soaked it all in. She had never seen such a store in her life. She opened her mouth to ask Draco where he had apparrated them but he just grabbed her hand and pulled her though the rows of priceless merchandise.

“Pick one,” Draco said pointing to the round display case of engagement rings. Hermione’s eyes grew wide.

“Draco these are too expensive.” Draco just rolled his eyes.

“Just pick one. How about this one?” He picked up a silver-banded ring encrusted with a pear shaped diamond. It almost looked like a teardrop. Around the center stone were sparkling red rubies and dazzling green emeralds. “I thought his one because it reminded me of us. The red and green. Whichever one you want though. It won’t hurt my feelings.”

“No? But what I said earlier in bed did? Right?

“Do you like this ring?” Draco ignored her.

“I’ve never seen its equal,” Hermione said beholding the priceless ring.

“We’ll take that one,” Draco said to the salesclerk behind the counter.

“That is 25,000 galleons. Will you need matching bands as well?” The salesclerk said in a creaky voice.

“Yes. Do you mind not hovering about? My wife and I would like some privacy. I will let you know if I require your assistance,” Draco said glaring at the old wizard behind the counter until he nodded and backed away. “They are like bloody vultures in this place but their stuff is the best around.”

“Oh, no Draco it must cost a fortune! I don’t need such an extravagant ring.”

Draco pulled her aside and whispered in her ear. “Were you not the one who said that we need to act as if we are a normal married couple in public?”

“Yes, but…”

“Give me your hand.”

“What are you doing?” Draco knelt on one knee and took her hand in his.

“I’m asking you to marry me Granger. I know we did this backwards but what the fuck. Marry me Granger?”

“Yes, silly. Now get up, you are getting your neatly pressed pants all dirty.” Draco smiled and slipped the finger on her hand.

“I still think its too much Draco.”

“Calling me Draco now? Amazing what a little jewelry can do for a woman, hmm?”

“You make me ill.”

“You make me hard.”

“Draco! We are in a classy place.”

“And I’m with a classy lady so what’s the problem?”

“It’s too much!” At that Draco grabbed her hard around the waist and clasped his fingers behind her back. He pulled her in and buried his head in her neck, biting on her behind her ear.

“This is what I would buy for my real wife if she were you, so anything less would cause suspicion.” Hermione hugged him tightly and then closed her eyes and kissed him on the mouth softly.

“Were you pretending just now or was that real, ‘cause it felt kind of real?” She blushed and spun out of his arms, her hands landing on a glass display case once again. As she gazed down, she saw two simple, white gold bands.

“Draco I like those bands. What do you think?”

“A bit plain don’t you think?”

“They’re simple, just like love is.”

“How is love simple?” Hermione’s comment had piqued his interest.

“Its either there or it isn’t. It’s simple.”

“I see.” Draco looked down at his wife with a grin and then clapped his pureblood fingers. The clerk was once again before them asking what he could do to help. “We will take these too. Charge it to my account.” The clerk handed them the rings and then spoke, which annoyed Draco to no end.

“Marcus Flint was in earlier. He said that you might have a stock tip for me. Said you made a large profit last week on the Wizard Exchange. So do you have any info for me? A man like me does not make the kind of money that you do, but I have put a little away. Just waiting for the right investment.” Draco brushed the sales clerk telling him to do his own research and stop bothering him and his wife.

“So you are a stock trader? And a good one I take it by what he said.”

“Yeah, but I prefer to be your bitch. Man with no job is a bitch. Remember?”

Hermione laughed and apologized to Draco for that comment. She was finding that there were a great many things that she still did not know about Draco Malfoy, her husband. Hermione looked down at the ring in her palm and noticed immediately that the clerk had handed her the wrong ring. She had Draco’s band while Draco was given the ring meant for her.

“Draco he made a mistake,” she said holding out her palm to show him the mix up in the bands.

“No he didn’t.” With that Draco took her hand and slid the ring on Hermione’s nervous and shaking finger as he spoke…”With this ring I thee wed.” That was it. Hermione melted like a stick of butter on a hot summers day. Here was this drop dead gorgeous man reciting the words they had never said to each other at their own rushed wedding at the Ministry. Yes they had said their I do’s and were then handed a piece of parchment that was legal and binding in the Wizarding world, but it lacked feeling and sentimental value. Hermione stood there, knees shaking and heart pounding and then she reached out and took Draco’s hand.

“With this ring I thee wed.” She slid the ring on his hand and then Draco clasped his hand in hers between them. Hermione stood on her tiptoes and kissed his lips. He didn’t reciprocate at first. It was almost as if he was challenging her to make up for her hurtful comment earlier in the morning. She kissed him again and then she licked his top lip. Still nothing. His eyes were open and Hermione kissed the corner of his mouth. She felt a hand on the small of her back applying gentle pressure. She kissed the other side of his mouth and then his chin and then his eyes closed finally. With their mouths, they explored. His tongue was wrapped in hers as their grip on each other tightened. She felt goose bumps erupt down her arms as he clutched onto her back firmly. His kiss was deep now and Hermione felt her head begin to drift away. She felt a tingling sensation all the way to her toes.

“Careful Draco, or you will make me say it.”

“Say what Mrs. Malfoy?” Hermione had never heard herself referred to as such, though when he said it she felt her heart leap for joy. What was happening to her? Whatever it was it was happening to Malfoy too. This was not the gruff and brooding Draco Malfoy she had always known him to be. Always in control of whatever situation he found himself in, he was losing it too now.

“That I might, just the smidgeonest amount,teeny tiny…almost microscopic its such a small part of me…” she paused as his left eyebrow rose. “I might be falling in love with you.” With that, Draco let go of her. He turned his back on her and began to walk out of the store smiling like the Cheshire cat. He spun on his imported Italian loafers and held his hand out to Hermione who was standing in shock in the middle of the store gazing down at her hand, clearly too embarrassed to look at him.

“Well come on Sweet Pea. Aren’t we expected at the Weasel’s house?”

“You’re a jerk Malfoy, you know that?”

“And I love you too, now stop being such a nag and let’s go.” Hermione shook her head and smiled. She knew that was Draco’s way of reiterating the same sentiments she had shared with him. Even if he would not come right out and say it, she knew he was feeling the same way about her as she was about him. This she could live with. This was not all together bad by any means. This was very different.

“Try not to be a Grinch at the Weasley’s. They are like family to me.”

“Nagging again.”

“Grinch!”

They arrived at the Burrow. Draco slid an arm around Hermione’s waist. She looked so nervous and Draco could not figure out why. It wasn’t like she was telling her parents or his parents about the news. It was just Saint Potter and his Firehead friend.

“Calm down already. You’re a Malfoy now. How bad could it be?” Draco said to Hermione with that oh so familiar air of machismo, as if the name Malfoy opened doors everywhere and Hermione should not be in the least bit worried. Later on, he would come to understand why she was nervous but for now, he was just a clueless prat.

“Don’t call Harry or Ron any names. George is really broken up over Fred’s death still, as is the whole family, so try to say something thoughtful and if you can’t then don’t say anything at all,” Hermione spoke rapidly as they rang the doorbell to the Burrow. She could hear soft footsteps inside the house and then suddenly the door swung open.

“Hermione! Malfoy! Happy Christmas! Come on in. Everyone is here,” Ginny said with a delightful smile. Thank god, it was Ginny who answered the door. She hugged Hermione and then even gave Draco a quick peck on the cheek before inviting them in. “You can hang your coats over there and then come join us in the family room. George was just showing off his new invention.”

Draco took Hermione’s coat and then peeled his designer trench coat off only to notice that the coat rack had moved. He looked around as Hermione stared at him nervously but he couldn’t find the coat rack. Hermione pointed and then Draco saw that the coat rack was actually a miniature tree with eyes.

“Just pet its trunk and it will be still for you again,” Hermione said. Draco did so and then Hermione reached out for his hand. She was truly nervous. This was probably the biggest thing she had ever had to do and she loathed every minute of it.

“Just calm down! If you are too afraid then let me do it,” Draco said pulling her forward into the family room. He could see everyone standing around and laughing. The house smelled like freshly baked goodies and everyone was chatting so loudly he was sure most of them wouldn’t even hear the announcement.

“No. I can do it. Wish me luck.”

“Luck Sweet pea,” Draco smirked. “I’m right here and I won’t let anything bad happen to you.” She smiled back nervously at her husband and then they stepped into the family room.

“Hi everybody!” Hermione smiled and Mrs. Weasley was the first to welcome her. Ginny was in the kitchen with Harry stirring a bubbling brew in the cauldron over the stove and Ron was sitting by the fire with George as they tinkered with something, no doubt something new for the joke shop.

“Happy Christmas Hermione! I see you brought a friend. Well come on in and make yourselves at home.

“Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, about my friend.” The Weasleys stood arm in arm with smiles on their faces, as Hermione prepared to make her big announcement.

“Yes, you are Lucius’s son, Draco isn’t it?” Mr. Weasley said and Draco smiled and nodded.

“Well no matter, the more the merrier I always say!” Mrs. Weasley smiled and handed them both a glass of eggnog.

“Just say it Granger or I will,” Draco said under his breath.

“Everyone! May I have your attention please?” Everyone quieted down except for Bill and Fluer’s baby who continued to cry as Fleur fussed over the little toddler. “I have some news today. That Daily Prophet will be running a story later today in fact. I just wanted to tell you all in person, before the news hits the stands.”

“Tell us what news Hermione?” Harry said naively as green goop bubbled over and then shot out of the cauldron he and Ginny were standing over.

“I’ve fallen in love and married! Isn’t it wonderful?” Everyone looked around at each other, confused. It was obvious to Draco that nobody had yet grasped the full magnitude of what she had said. That’s when Draco decided to take matters into his own hands. People have to see to believe in the Wizarding world and he knew that. He touched Hermione’s face, his fingers tenderly on her chin and he turned her to face him. He closed his eyes and moved in. Their lips met and Hermione gave him her soft kiss. When they broke and opened their eyes all several sets of eyeballs were now on them like owls eyes and several jaws had dropped.

“I married Hermione yesterday. It took me a while to figure out that there was no other witch in this world that could hold a candle to my beautiful Hermione.” Draco said sliding his arm tightly around her waist and pulling her into his side. Hermione smiled anxiously and Draco could feel her whole body trembling against his.

“Your beautiful Hermione? YOUR beautiful Hermione? That’s MY beautiful Hermione! Get out of my house Malfoy! Honestly, on Christmas? I ought to…” but it was too late as Ron’s freckled knuckle collided with Draco’s face. Chaos broke out then as George fought to get through the sea of dumbstruck Weasley’s, trying in earnest to hold his enraged brother back. Ginny was yelling for Ron to stop, Fleur was cradling her son trying to sooth his cries while Bill yanked Draco to his feet and restrained him. Draco was furious as he lunged at Ron and Ron back at him spewing venom off their lips. Finally, it was Harry Potter that ended the whole scene.

“HERMIONE!” The whole room quieted down at this. Hermione was now nursing Draco’s bruised face while Ron shot daggers at the pair.

“Get away from him Hermione! He caught me with something metal in the head. Don’t you fancy looking at my injuries Hermione?” Ron was near tears and it wasn’t because of the pain he felt when Draco’s brand new wedding ring collided with his head. He seemed to be taking this far worse then Hermione had suspected he might. Draco curled his lip and grinned at Ron as Hermione kissed Draco’s bruised face lightly. She then stood and turned on Ron, which couldn’t have been a better Christmas gift for Draco.

“Ronald! Why did you do that? You took something lovely and turned it into something ugly. I said that I fell in love and married. If you told me that, I would wish you congratulations. I wouldn’t attack your wife!

“Is this real Hermione? Are you trying too get back at me for ignoring you? I was working!”

“It’s real Ron,” Hermione’s voice became softer and she held out her hand to show Ron her new ring. Draco was leaning up against the wall behind Hermione and flashed his matching ring. Ginny shuddered when she saw Hermione’s ring while Ron glared over Hermione’s head at Draco and growled under his breath.

“How could you marry that slimy ferret?”

“I love him. What do you want me to say?”

“You LOVE Draco Malfoy? You are Mrs. Hermione Malfoy? You should be ashamed to set foot outside! You are scum Hermione. You used to be special but now you are just scum. A Gryffindor doesn’t marry a Slytherin! Nobody is going to talk to you after this Hermione. I hope you like his friends because ours will not accept you. You married the enemy.”

“Shut up Ron! Hermione and Draco I for one would like to congratulate you.” Ginny held up her toasting glass as Harry stood in silence shaking his head at Hermione. Ginny and Mrs. and Mr. Weasley,Bill and Fleur held their glasses up to toast the newlyweds.

“To Draco and Hermione, may they have incredibly rich and good looking children!” Draco smiled and Hermione leaned into his chest. It was then that Ron slammed the front door to the Burrow. Harry looked at Draco and Hermione and then followed Ron out the door, as did George. They passed Percy who was arriving late to the festivities. He looked confused as he joined those that remained. Ron’s words echoed in her ears. No Gryffindor will be your friend now. Hermione had not even considered that friendships that seemed carved in unyielding granite would suffer by marrying Draco Malfoy. She suddenly felt very small and for this, she blamed Draco. He had been the one to open his big mouth to the Minister. He probably thought this was all extremely funny watching her friendships distengrate. Hermione tried to brush past him but Draco grabbed her arm.

“Remember what I said to you in the Room of the Requirment? We are right. They are wrong. What your so called friend just did to you was fucking bullshit!”

“Let’s leave them alone people. Come on outside! I thought we could all play some friendly quidditch,” Ginny rubbed Hermione’s arm and smiled at both she and Draco. “I think you make a cute couple and I am so excited for you both. I thought this might be coming.” Draco decided right then and there that he had been totally wrong about Ginny Weasley. She was alright in his book. The rest of them though could kiss his arse. He was so infuriated that they hurt his wife like they just had. He didn’t care that his face throbbed and that he would probably have a nasty shiner later. To hurt Hermione like that for no reason was not sitting well with him at all. The others left, leaving Hermione and Draco alone. She brushed by him, headed towards the door by which Harry and Ron had exited.

“Walk away from me now if you want to but know that at the end of the day the only thing that maters is you and I.” Hermione was seething. Here he was lying again. She had had about enough of her new husband and her fake marriage.

“I am going out there and tell Harry and Ron that this whole thing was a ruse. I am going to tell them about all of it and then I will have my friends back. Then they will trust me and love me again,” Hermione said through tears.

“So you are going out there to lie to them. Well go on Granger. Don’t let me stop you.” Draco said with a dead serious expression.

“Lie? How dare you call me a liar! What would you have me do?”

“Nothing. I don’t want you to do anything that isn’t what you feel right here,” Draco said taking his index finger and jabbing it into Hermione’s chest. “So go on then. Go tell them that you secretly can’t stand me that we married so you wouldn’t lose your job or cause a scandal. You could even tell them that the Minister of Magic himself was about to curse you unless you married me. Blame it on his reelection. Tell them that he wanted the poster couple, a Slytherin snake and a Gryffindor goody goody. Tell them all of it Granger! But before you do that do me one small favor and look into my eyes and tell me right now, right here, that you don’t love me.”

“Love? What do you know of love?” Hermione said angrily. Draco stared into her big brown eyes. He could see the dried trails of tears on her cheeks. He lunged forward and grabbed her by the wrists and threw her arms above her head, shoving her body roughly against the wall. Holding her arms tightly above her head he blew his hot breath onto her neck and watched as explosive goose bumps shot down her arms. He kissed her neck and then whispered into her ear.

“I’ve been in love with you since the first time in the Slytherin common room when I did exactly this to you. Do you remember?” laying a hand over her heart he could feel her heart beating wildly. He let her wrists fall to her sides and then just like that he was gone. Hermione stood at the back window looking at the Weasley family playing quidditch while a serious Draco Malfoy sat alone under a tree. Hermione had to decide. Friends or her husband? She looked at the front door. She knew she would find Harry and Ron outside and she could patch things up if she told them the truth. What was the truth though? Draco had shown her a different truth. Friends or husband? She straightened her shirt and flipped her hair and walked through the only door that made any sense to her.

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