Smile Like You Mean It

Sorry I made you guys wait so long!!!

xxx Aera

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Chapter 30 - Quidditch and Showers

Aera smiled as Hermione fidgeted in her seat. “Come on, Ron!” she muttered under her breath.

A Slytherin boy called Harper had the quaffle and was racing towards the Gryffindor goal posts. Ron was watching him warily, completely undefended by Beaters. Hermione squeaked with nerves as the Chaser aimed and shot.

Ron twisted sideways, using the bristles of his broom to flick the ball into the waiting hands of Ginny.

Hermione let out a screech, waving her Gryffindor scraf wildly above her head. Aera laughed.

The fast pace of the game made it difficult to guess who was the better team. Though the Gryffindors were clearly better at teamwork, the Slytherins were incredibly fast and quick-fingered. There had been no sight of the Snitch so far and both Harry and Draco hung suspended far above the pitch, eyes searching for a hint of gold.

The scene reminded Aera of her first day at Hogwarts when she had played Draco in a friendly search for the Snitch. She remembered how he had saved her from a perilous fall, causing himself injury in doing so. She smiled wryly to herself. She never would have guessed then that she would be waiting here for the chance to have him in her arms again.

Ginny was by the Slytherin goals suddenly, arching back to fling the quaffle as hard as she could. The Slytherin goal-keeper lunged to protect the hoop but the ball sailed through.

Gryffindors all around Aera jumped up, cheering a beaming Ginny. As they settled down, with Hermione bouncing excitedly in her seat, Aera heard Luna Lovegood’s commentary soar over the noise.

“Gryffindor lead by twenty points!”

Aera jerked her eyes skyward. Draco and Harry had descended a little, making their faces clearly. She saw Draco turn towards her and smile, full of confidence.

“Slytherin scores.” she whispered to herself.

“What was that?” Hermione asked distractedly. Before Aera opened her mouth to reply, the Slytherin stands had let out a roar, silver and green standing out against the blue sky. Luna’s voice, magically magnified, drowned out their cheers.

“Slytherin scores! Ten points to Slytherin.”

Cold swept over Aera. So, there was no pretending that the Prophet’s Elixir hadn’t worked then. Here was her proof, a perfect re-inaction of what she had witnessed in her dream. The ramifications of this was not lost on her. Her resolve strengthened. She would be there at the last battle. And she would find out what the Order of Uller entailed.

Suddenly people were shouting, waving their hands and screaming with excitement. Her eyes swept the pitch, searching for what was causing the mayhem.

She saw it. Draco and Harry were racing across the pitch from opposite ends, clearly having spotted the Snitch. She squinted and glimpsed a flicker of gold, a little closer to Draco than Harry. Exhilaration pumped through her. Come on Draco! Come on Harry!

Then Ginny shot across Draco’s path, and he swerved to avoid knocking her off her broom. The sudden alteration in his course cost him a split second.

Harry’s hand closed over the Snitch as Draco reached out for it. Triumphant shouts erupted around her but Aera felt a twinge of sympathetic disappointment and frustration. If Ginny hadn’t cut Draco off like that he would have easily reached the Snitch in time. She could see it on his face as he let his broom drift to the ground. Madam Hooch was blowing her whistle, calling the game. Gryffindors were pouring out of the stands to swarm the pitch, eager to congratulate their players.

Harry landed triumphant, hand still grasping the fluttering Snitch. He was grinning at Ginny who smiled back. Hermione grabbed a hold of Aera, pulling her with her down the stairs to find Ron. People were everywhere and Aera found herself wishing she were somewhere else. She was proud of her team, yet it tainted with her pity for Draco. He was a great player and it had been his gentlemanly habits that had cost him the game. She glimpsed a sight of him through the crowd as the Slytherin team fought their way back to their changing rooms. It looked like his own players were giving him a hard time about it.

“Aera!” Harry shouted, reaching out to hug her. She pasted a grin on her face as she congratulated him, though she doubted he heard it. People were still shouting around him, demanding his attention. Hermione was beside a jubilant Ron who was informing everyone that there would be a party in the common room that night to celebrate.

She wondered for a moment why everyone was so excited. After all they still had a few more games to play before they won the Quidditch Cup. She figured it must have something to do with being the first game of the year. Anyone into Quidditch would have missed it during the long summer months.

Finally the pitch began to empty. The Gryffindor team were bustled up to the castle and Aera found herself watching as the last few students made their way up the stone steps. She didn’t feel able to join them just yet.

“Aera?” She turned to find Blaise standing beside her, a green and silver scarf wrapped around his neck.

“Oh. Hey Blaise.” she said quietly.

He gave her a funny look. “You’re not going back for the party? I would have thought you’d be with the team. After all you’re friends with most of them.”

Aera shrugged. “I’ll go up later, after they’ve finished talking about the win. Shouldn’t take more than an hour or two to talk that subject into the ground.”

Blaise smiled at her. She looked around, realising they were the only two left on the field. A line of students were leaving the changing room area, though there was a distinct lack of platinum blonde hair among them. She hadn’t been sure that Draco would wait for her after this. There was a chance he would just want to be left alone.

She glanced back at Blaise who had followed her line of sight. His eyes dropped back to her and she saw a pain deep inside them. “Ah,” he said softly. “You’re waiting to offer your condolences.”

Aera turned her face away. She had known Draco would tell Blaise about them. The two appeared to be closer than most friends. But she couldn’t forget the vivid pink that had shone through in Blaise’s aura when he had looked at her in Potions. He was a good guy, she didn’t want to hurt him.

“Aera . . .” She looked up at him, unable to help herself. He had one hand raised, as if to touch her cheek, but he hesitated. Finally he dropped it with a small, barely audible sigh. “Look after Draco, okay? He’s going to be pretty torn up after this loss.”

He turned suddenly, walking swiftly across the field. She was surprised when he didn’t take the path up to the castle, instead finding the track that would lead him towards the lake. But then, it was a nice evening. Perhaps he just wanted to enjoy it.

Pushing thoughts of Blaise and his enigmatic ways to the back of her mind, Aera approached the Slytherin changing rooms.


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There was the sound of rushing water as Aera entered the dark building. She peered around, trying to locate Draco. Towards the end of the room was a dim light. It seemed as if the sounds were coming from there too.

She made her way past the benches and lockers, edging over the discarded uniforms and brooms. The Slytherins hadn’t bothered to stay long enough to pick up after themselves, by the looks of things. It seemed that they were eager to drown their sorrows.

She had just reached the end of the room when the sound of running water shut off. Intrigued, she peered around the corner to see what had been causing it.

Draco stood there, one hand leaning against the tiled wall of an open shower, eyes closed, his muscular figure dripping wet. Strands of hair sent small rivulets of water running across bare skin.

For a moment, Aera couldn’t move. What she saw was both beautiful and secret, Draco’s long, lean body, completely exposed in the dim light of the single small window. Her eyes traced downwards, unable to look away. He was at an angle, revealing only his side portrait, one knee bent, one hand supporting him against the wall. His other hand lifted to run fingers through his damp hair, sending a shower of droplets arcing across the room.

She must have made some noise because he suddenly looked up, stormy grey eyes piercing her where she stood. She spun away, back into the locker room. Leaning with her back against the wall, she focused on trying to control her breathing. Her breasts were heaving raggedly, her face flushed with heat. What she had seen was unbelievable erotic, a Draco unmasked.

When he stepped around the corner of the shower, with a towel wrapped modestly around his waist, Aera swallowed harshly. She had no idea what to say, how to excuse herself from spying on his naked figure.

He watched her silently for a moment. He hadn’t bothered to dry himself off completely, small beads of water still hung to his skin, sparkling in the fading light.

“Sorry. I forgot you were coming.”

Aera only just stopped her mouth from dropping open. He was apologising to her? He ran his hand through his hair again, as if unsure what else to say. She suddenly felt amazingly calm. His nervousness called forth an urge to comfort him, to take control.

Without thinking she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his bare waist, hugging him close to her.

“I’m sorry you didn’t win.” she whispered. The feel of his naked skin under her hands was soft and seductive.

She felt him smile against her hair. “That Weasley girl has balls of steel. I’m surprised she knew I’d turn.”

Aera laughed softly. Maybe Ginny hadn’t really been as sure of herself as it had appeared. She probably would have traded getting knocked off her broom for helping Harry anyway.

Aera pulled back to look into Draco’s eyes. They had lightened into a brighter shade of blue. “You would have reached it first.”

Draco shrugged. The frustration was there in his eyes though he was trying to hide it. “It would have been nice to beat Potter to the Snitch. Just this once.”

Aera grinned. “Well, you have beaten one Potter to the Snitch.”

Draco frowned in confusion for a moment before the memory came back to him. His laugh was louder this time. “You’re right. I’d forgotten about that.”

Aera smiled and hugged him closer again. She couldn’t get over the feel of him, barely dressed, in her arms. The smell of his soap and shampoo were also doing interesting things to her already addled head. She breathed in deeply, closing her eyes and letting sight and smell take over her senses.

A finger pressed under her chin, making her lift her head. She opened her eyes to see Draco leaning closer. They slid closed again as she felt his lips press against hers, kissing her gently. Her lips parted slightly, tasting him, and his tongue slipped in to caress her own. Gradually the kiss became more urgent, their hands pulling each other closer until Aera broke away, desperate for air.

His eyes were a light blue now, shining with desire. “So, did you enjoy spying on me?”

Aera flushed deep red, feeling heat pool low in her stomach. She looked away, trying to hide her embarrassment at being caught. He turned her face back to him, tilting it up and holding her still. She looked up at him from under long lashes, trying to push the image of him, dripping wet and naked, from her mind.

It must have been easy to see where her thoughts were, because Draco smirked roguishly. “That good, was it?”

Aera knew her face was crimson. She nodded, unable to deny the sensuality of what she had seen. Draco’s smirk widened.

“Oh really?”

All of a sudden the towel was gone, falling to the floor with a faint rustle of cloth. Aera gasped and her hands flew away from his body as she stepped back. He was grinning now, full of mischievous confidence. He moved forward slightly and Aera took another involuntary step away. She was desperately trying to keep her eyes on his face, to avoid glancing brazenly down to what had been revealed.

“Please,” she gasped, “Put it back on!”

Draco stopped and watched her expression. Then he bent swiftly down and grabbed the towel whilst Aera stared stubbornly at the ceiling. When she was sure that he was covered again, she turned to glare at him. He looked back at her, totally unconcerned. Feeling childish and silly, Aera blinked and went to turn away.

She had not been expecting to be met with such a blatant display of sexuality and had no idea how to react. Innocent kisses were all very well, but to be thrust into a situation that she had never in her chaste upbringing experienced was frightening.

So when Draco lunged forward and lifted her in his arms, she couldn’t help the shriek that leapt from her lips. He ignored it, carrying her back into the shower area and setting her down before twisting the nozzle on full force. She jumped as a spray of warm water cascaded over her, soaking through the light fabric of the top she had chosen to wear that morning and drenching her jeans.

She glared up at him through the mist of water. He was watching her with amusement, a playful smile teasing the edge of his mouth. Furious, she used wandless magic to direct the falling water at him. It made him jump in surprise, soaking the towel wrapped around him. His eyes widened and she smiled in satisfaction. Okay, so he wasn’t fully dressed like her, but it was enough to see him dripping once more.

He moved under the shower, which was returning to its normal flow. He was closer now, leaning over her as he brushed dark wet strands of her hair away from her cheek. Sweet Morgana, but he looked good with water running over his face, beads of it sticking to his lashes. She didn’t pause to think before reaching up to pull him into her kiss.

It was fierce and intense. Their tongues battled for dominance as her hands wove around his neck, pinning him to her. He was pressed flush up against her body, flimsy wet cloth the only thing between them. She could feel his body responding to her kiss, hardening against her stomach. When he reached down to unbutton her shirt she didn’t stop him. Nothing seemed to make more sense than to have her skin bared to him.

Her light lace bra, stretched over her breasts, was exposed as the shirt got pushed back over her shoulders. She shrugged out of it, keeping her lips against his. When his hands found her breasts she arched back, unable to believe how sensitive her skin felt. Even through the fabric of her bra it was unbelievably sensual. Her own hands ran up along his chest, marvelling at the contours of his muscles.

Suddenly her bra was gone, unhitched and removed before she realised. It fell to join her shirt on the floor with a dull wet thump. Fingers brushed over her nipples, causing her body to jump in response. His lips moved to kiss her jaw-line, down her neck. Nipping slightly, he pinched one nipple between finger and thumb. She heard a moan, a sound so unlike her that she could barely believe it came from her mouth.

The button of her jeans flicked open and she tensed slightly as Draco slowly eased down the zip. This was going further than ever before and she didn’t think she had the strength of will to deny her body what it wanted. Thrills of heat were moving through her, centring on that spot at the apex of her thighs. She wanted his hands there, she wanted him to ease the ache that was building uncontrollably.

Draco crouched to slide the wet denim over her thighs and down her legs. She stepped daintily out of them, trying not to blush as she imagined what she must look like so naked. Shoving such self-conscious thoughts from her mind she waited for him to straighten up.

She was distracted, therefore, when she felt gentle kisses being placed up the inside of her thigh. She glanced down, curious. Draco ignored her questioning look, focused on the task at hand. One of his hands was creeping up somewhat faster than his kisses and her head fell back against the tiled wall as it brushed lightly over the soaking cloth of her knickers.

Her eyes closed against the spray of water, which Draco was now licking from her thigh, each sweep of his tongue sending shivers up her body. She felt his fingers push aside the fabric, teasing at her lips. The ache suddenly became unbearable, making her gasp with longing.

When the pressure came, it was like nothing she had experienced, flicking over a little nub of pleasure that caused her pulse to race and her breathing to hitch. Her hands clutched at the tiles of the wall behind her, searching for something to steady her. Draco, sensing the weakness in her knees, wrapped one arm around her leg. She was past noticing, however, as his fingers moved faster, causing the ache to build. Then one long finger plunged inside her and she gasped loudly.

The sensation, strange, magical, consumed her. She lost track of time and place as he brought her closer and closer to that peak that would give her release. Just when she thought it could build no more, the fingers inside her were gone.

Dismay swept through her and she was trying to find the breath to complain when she felt Draco lift one of her legs and hook it over his shoulder. Suddenly, where there had been strong, quick fingers, there was a blissful warm, wet heat.

Startled by the unfamiliar feeling, Aera looked down to see Draco nestled between her legs. Before nerves could fully arise, however, something soft and hot swept across the sensitive little nub that had so recently been abandoned.

She couldn’t stop the breathless moan that escaped her. This was, incredibly, better somehow than what had come before. Her hips moved forward, wanting more, and found themselves pressed back against the cool wall. The water from the shower rushed over her face as she turned it upwards, resting her head against the tiles. She couldn’t think, couldn’t remember how to breathe properly. Air shuddered in her chest as the building ache returned in full force. She planted her hands flat against the wall, feeling her body start to tense as the heat assailed her, alternating between sweeping across her clit and plunging inside her.

When release came it scattered everything from her mind. There was only the pleasure, pounding through her, centring on that blessed area between her thighs. She gasped loudly, her hands clenching.

When she came back to herself, Draco was straightening up before her, his eyes back to their stormy grey. The shower water ran down his face, making the chiselled features even more pronounced. She leaned forward, pressing a passionate kiss against his lips. She could taste herself there, a sweet, tangy flavour. He deepened the kiss, arms wrapping around her, holding her close. She clung to him, her knees still weak, her body shaking.

After a moment he pulled away. She noticed that the solitary window now showed a night sky. He appeared even paler in the moonlight. She traced the line of his collarbone with one finger, trying to remember how to form words.

Glancing down she saw the tent of the towel, evidence of his own arousal. She bit her lip. Somehow, now, she wanted to see it, to touch it. A bridge had been crossed between them and she had no intention of backing away. But as she reached down between their bodies, Draco grasped her wrist lightly in his hand.

“Maybe that should wait till another time.” he said. His voice was deeper than usual. She gave him a questioning look and he laughed quietly. “It’s late. You’ll be missed by your celebrating Gryffindors.”

He spoke no more than the truth but at that time Aera really couldn’t care less. She was here with the only man she wanted to be with, in a place where they could remain uninterrupted for quite some time. And he had just given her the most incredible, ground-shattering orgasm ever. She shook her head. She didn’t want to leave.

Draco kissed her, switching the shower off and pulling away to pick up her sodden clothes. He handed them to her with a small smile. “Seriously. We’ll end up regretting this if we stay. Someone might come looking for you.”

Aera sighed, admitting defeat. She took the clothes from him, focusing her magic through the fabric, drying it. There was no way to get the creases out, however. She slipped into them, Draco watching with an unreadable expression in his eyes.

She followed him out to the locker area once dressed and waited as he pulled items out of his locker. Far away she could hear the tolling of a bell. Distractedly she counted them in her head.

She reached nine chimes and froze. It was curfew. She met Draco’s wide eyes and realised he must have been counting them himself. How the hell had that happened?

Aera hurried to the open door of the changing rooms and squinted up through the darkness to the castle. Sure enough, the huge double doors were swinging shut against the night, sealing them out. She felt a flicker of panic. If they were to call out for someone to open the doors for them, it would all come out. How could someone not put two and two together and realise the real reason for them both being locked out?

She looked back at Draco who hurriedly putting his clothes on and shook her head. “We’re too late. Ugh!” she moaned. “Of all the stupid things!”

Draco was looking around the changing room, kicking aside discarded clothes. Aera watched him for a moment, trying to figure out a way out of the mess they had gotten into. It wasn’t until Draco finally picked up a broom from one of the corners that she understood. He was going to fly them back in.

She smiled. It was clever, she had to admit. However, they still had to avoid Filch once inside the castle itself. They would have to hurry and hope he was still busy locking the front doors.

Together they made their way onto the pitch and Draco slipped one leg over the broom. Aera went to straddle it behind him but he moved too fast, catching her by the waist to pull her across his lap. She smiled at him, gripping the front of his robes as the broom lifted and became sky-born.

The sensation of being a hundred feet up in the air and not in control of the broom was not something she enjoyed at first but slowly she began to trust in his ability to fly as he handled the stick beneath them with skill and caution. He directed them towards the higher levels of the castle, aiming for a large open window, lit from inside. Aera let her hair stream away from her face as she relished the feeling of Draco’s arms around her. The stars twinkled above them, happy to keep their secrets.

By the time they reached the window, Aera was beginning to regret having to end their journey. She slipped from the broom onto the wide stone ledge and leaned over to kiss Draco.

“Goodnight.” she whispered. He would continue down the wall to find a window lower and closer to the dungeons.

“Sleep well. And watch out for Filch.” Draco warned.

Aera watched as the broom disappeared into the darkness.


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Oooh! Hot and heavy eh?

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xxx
Aera