Her Shoes

Thank you again to my wonderful beta goddess t_stevenson.



The Huarache Boots portion has been divided into three different chapters. There was just too much going on that breaking it out was much more manageable.



Once again, thank you for the wonderful reviews and response to this story – I love them and you all, honest. I also wanted to discuss the topic of Hermione behaving a bit OCC by losing a bit of her control in front of Draco and not only share my perspective but why I think it’s a very realistic reaction.



I have yet to meet anyone so stoic that they don’t feel somewhat off center in the presence of someone they feel something for, especially if you think that individual doesn’t reciprocate? I certainly admit to feeling and behaving that way myself (oh the stupid and silly things I’ve done in the name of love LOL) – and I’m a pretty organized and controlled individual. You have to be in my line of work. That said, I firmly believe we’re all a bit OCC when faced with situations that involve the heart, which is as unpredictable as not being able to choose who we love. It just is. It’s what I find so fascinating in human nature – our ability to love so profoundly and how we react when faced with the knowledge of that deep emotion engulfing us. How we react as we stand there completely helpless to it? How we behave around that one person we want so desperately to notice us? The truth is that we’re sometimes not ourselves. I hope this sheds some light on my motivation for writing Hermione a certain way sometimes. Thank you for reading it.



Now, the quote tweaked from a movie was the line that read: “The man’s moods were sure to give her whiplash.” I refashioned it from the Twilight film, the scene in the cafeteria by the salad bar. I love that line because the line reminds me a bit of men in general – my own Mr. Margaritama is like that as well – LOL!



Per someone’s reco, here is a link to the very hot and sexy-as-sin Sigerson Morrison Huarache Boots, at the top of the story so you can picture them as you read along: http://www.flingitgirl.com/thumbs/561954d413b5ca0df7f1ac48adb8d301_origin.jpg



Finally, many thanks to the wondrous silverotter1 who created a magnificent banner for the story. It actually features the Huarache Boots and can be found on my live journal (margaritaabate) or at Granger Enchanted.



This is the first of three chapters dedicated to the talented silverotter1.



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“Thank Merlin it’s Friday,” Hermione sighed as she took a stab at her Chicken Caesar salad.



“Promise you’ll meet us after your dinner with Adrian tonight Hermione.” Ginny begged in-between bites of her Greek salad.



She was lunching at a lovely little café with Pansy, Ginny, Ron and Harry before leaving for her other full-time job with Draco Malfoy.



Ron’s mouth was stuffed with fish and chips and he still had the very annoying habit of attempting to talk with his mouth full, “Arf you reawwy waring dose bots?”



Hermione rolled her eyes and looked at him with disgust. “Honestly Ronald, can you please not speak with your mouth full? It’s unsightly and rude. And yes, I’m wearing these boots. I don’t have time to change before my dinner with Adrian after work.”



Harry chuckled softly as he took a swig of his butter beer while Pansy grinned and admired Hermione’s footwear. “I think your shoes are très sexy and I’m quite positive Adrian will love them. Are you sure you’ve no intentions of bringing him home tonight after my party ends?” Pansy smirked.



Ginny giggled as Hermione snorted ice tea up her nose while trying to stifle a laugh, “No, I’ve no plans on bringing Adrian home tonight or any other night. I like him, he’s a good friend. We enjoy each other’s company but there’s no great romance there.”



“Don’t I know it,” Pansy murmured in a voice almost too low to be heard.



Hermione frowned. “What does that mean?”



Pansy looked up at Hermione then glanced around the table at their friends. “Nothing at all, Hermione. I’m just agreeing with you. It’s quite evident that you and Adrian are great friends. I mean how long have you and he been ‘enjoying one another’s company’? And you’ve never even shagged.”



Ron and Harry both choked then began grumbling at Pansy’s last comment.



“Pansy, I don’t think . . .” Harry began, his cheeks tinged pink.



Ron, much less subtle than Harry, groused, “I don’t need to know who she’s bloody well shagging.”



Pansy rolled her eyes at Ron then looked over at Hermione only to find her staring back at her with a puzzled expression.



Pansy had been acting strangely ever since Hermione had begun working for Draco. Hermione knew Pansy and Draco had been close friends since they were children and couldn’t help but feel Pansy knew something she didn’t where he was concerned. Of course, there were many things the dark beauty didn’t let on; she was a Slytherin after all.



“Well then. I’ve got to get going before I run late. My new boss is quite the stickler on promptness. I’m Flooing from The Leaky Cauldron instead of my office so I can give myself a little time to spare. What’s my share of lunch?” Hermione began to reach into her purse for her billfold.



Harry motioned for Hermione to put her wallet away, “I’ve got this one, Hermione; you’ve had a rough week with Malfoy and all. Just go. Maybe the sooner you begin work the sooner you can be done and head home before dinner with Adrian. We do want to see you tonight so don’t forget to meet us later at Pansy’s, bring Adrian, he’s a good bloke.”



Hermione smiled and stood up and leaned over to whisper ‘thanks’ to Harry before pecking him on the check. She waved to her friends before grabbing her handbag and buttoning up her robes then made her way over to The Leaky Cauldron. She’d made a special request of Draco to allow her to travel from The Leaky Cauldron to Malfoy Manor at a specific time. If she was late, the connection would close and she didn’t want to be late.



Hermione blushed from the roots of her brown, curly head down to her exposed red painted toes as she thought back to Wednesday. Wednesday afternoon had led to one hell of a restless night. She couldn’t stop thinking about Draco, the way he had demanded she take off her robes and when he had strode purposefully towards. He’d invaded her dreams all night, his voice coaxing her into release after blissful release. Rather than feeling refreshed when she finally awoke, she still burned with desire from her Draco-laden dreams, she’d had to masturbate yet again to ease the ache between her legs. Never had she had so many self-induced orgasms. She was surprised she wasn’t walking bow-legged on Thursday.



Luckily, Thursday went off without any confrontations. Draco owled her asking if she’d like to arrive early for lunch. She’d replied in the affirmative and arrived to a wonderful Italian fare. They had worked diligently throughout the afternoon making marked progress on one of the cell phone charms. It still wasn’t perfect but the spell and charms she’d spent time preparing in lieu of the presentation had indeed proven useful.



Surprisingly, Draco was remarkably adept at using Muggle technology. He owned an iPhone and Apple Air Notebook but was becoming increasingly frustrated at the inability to use them outside of his offices, which were located in Muggle London just around the corner from Diagon Alley. Several times throughout the day he’d had to Apparate back to his office leaving Hermione to work alone in his suite of rooms. The afternoon quickly flew by and soon Hermione was packing up to leave. Draco escorted her back through the hall of portraits, where she gave a small wave and smile to Cecilia as she trailed after him down the hallway.



As she made her way to The Leaky Cauldron, Hermione briefly worried that he’d insist that she remove her robes again. She was feeling rather reluctant in complying. She knew she’d have no time to go home and change prior to her evening engagements. She had agreed to meet Adrian at a trendy restaurant, which had just opened in Diagon Alley, right after leaving the Manor. From there they would go onto Pansy’s party. She had dressed with that in mind this morning.



Under a pair of sleek, fitted black robes, she wore a very edgy outfit. A cherry-red narrowly cut A-line shift with tiered flutter sleeves and boat neckline fell to mid-thigh. The shimmery polyester blend material gave the dress a paper-thin, wearable leather effect. She had purposely chosen a more modest design in an eye-catching color to contrast sharply with the boots she was sporting. Ron and Harry eyes had nearly popped out of their sockets when she’d modeled them for Pansy and Ginny.



The only word to describe them was sin on heels.



Italian black leather with silver tone hardware, a four-inch heel with a small back zipper. The leather encased her legs to her knees. However, the crowning touch was the all-over strap detail and open toe that screamed uber-sexy. She had actually toyed with the idea of having them custom-made to be thigh-highs but decided that might be bit too extravagant.



She’d pinned her hair from her face but left it to fall in loose curls around her shoulders. She kept her makeup simple. Before leaving to meet Adrian, she planned to apply lip-gloss to complete her overall look. Though she wasn’t shagging Adrian, she did enjoy dressing up when she went out with him. He had the ability to encourage her wilder side to come out and play. Together they made a striking couple, or so she’d been told.



She wondered if she and Draco would make an equally striking couple.



‘Stop it Hermione,’ she scolded herself. Draco didn’t see her that way and would never see her that way. She certainly would never allow herself to be another notch in his bedpost.



She entered The Leaky Cauldron, gave Tom a friendly wave and smile as she made her way over to the brightly, burning fireplace.



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Later in the day, well past teatime, Hermione found herself working alone in Draco’s apartments. He’d still not arrived and she assumed he’d been delayed at the office indefinitely. Given she’d expected not to see him this afternoon, she’d removed her robes to get more comfortable.



Arriving at Malfoy Manor, she was greeted by a tiny house elf named Meena. Meena was dressed in a tiny shirt emblazoned with the Malfoy crest, she timidly handed Hermione a small piece of parchment.



Granger,



I’ve been detained at the office. Please proceed without me.



I should be there by tea. If you need anything, ask for Meena.



DM



The tiny elf escorted Hermione up the grand staircase and to the right towards Draco’s wing. “I leaves missus here,” she squeaked before popping out of sight.



Confused, Hermione turned to walk down the now familiar corridor.



“Hermione dear. How are you?” A lovely, cultured voice called out. Hermione grinned and approached the smiling face of Cecilia Malfoy.



Hermione smiled back warmly at the woman in the painting. “Good afternoon Cecilia. I’m well thank you, and yourself?”



“Still here I’m afraid,” she grinned. “Do have a few moments? Perhaps we can chat a bit. I know Draco is out for the afternoon so we don’t need to worry about his huffing and puffing. Narcissa and Lucius are at St. Mungo’s, so it’s just you and I.”



The other portrait’s voices rose in indignation.



“And us?”



“I’ve never . . .”



“Are we to be ignored now?”



“See here Cecilia . . .”



“Oh, do shut up!” Hermione giggled at the loss of composure from the blond Regency beauty. “There now, peace and quiet. So dear, how have you been? Is the venture going well? Is Draco minding his manners?”



Hermione gave a slightly crooked smile and blinked at Cecilia’s query about Draco. “Oh, yes. Everything is fine. So you know about the research we’re conducting?”



“Of course. Draco does confide mostly everything to me. Though he won’t speak to me about you for some reason, though I suspect I know why. He’s a wily one that great, great, great grandson of mine, but I do love him so.”



Cecilia’s warm affection was so genuine that Hermione couldn’t help but smile. Ignoring the subject of herself, Hermione said, “Well, if he’s spoken to you about what we’re dong then you must know that we had a small breakthrough. I plan on working on that spell a bit more today. Draco’s not here so I think I’ll be able to concentrate.” Hermione waved the parchment she’d been given by the house-elf.



“Yes, he’s a bit distracting isn’t he?” Cecilia looked slyly down at Hermione.



Hermione’s cheek burned bright pink and she rushed to correct herself, “Oh no, I don’t mean that . . . its just he and I . . . I mean there is no he and I . . . well, what I mean is . . . oh Merlin!” Hands flying to her cheeks, she shook her head in exasperation.



Cecilia let out a loud laugh. “Goodness, he certainly has you all aflutter.”



“No, you’re mistaken. Draco and I work together. We aren’t, I mean, I don’t like Draco in that way. He tolerates me solely for this project we are working on together. He just needs my help.”



“Is that what you believe?” Kind eyes studied Hermione.



“It’s what’s true.” Hermione countered.



“Oh, Hermione. You don’t know my grandson. He hardly tolerates you. Malfoy’s don’t tend to tolerate anyone.”



“But he does. He’s so aloof and cold and can, at times, say the most abhorrent things to me. I can\'t help but think he despises me.”



Cecilia paused for a moment carefully gauging her words. “Draco is . . . very deliberate. Everything he says and does is a means to an end. Sometimes what you see is not what you get. There’s more to the man underneath the surface. Quite Slytherin actually.”



Hermione gazed back in wide-eyed surprise. That was exactly what Pansy had said. What was going on with Draco Malfoy? What ulterior machinations could he possibly be working on?



“Did you know that he has complete control of the Malfoy estate, properties, assets and fortune?”



Hermione shook her head, perplexed by the sudden shift in topic.



“Oh yes. He took control from Lucius just before his trial began. Lucius signed everything over to his son with no arguments. Strange don’t you think?”



“Well, Draco is the heir.”



“Yes, but the heir inherits that kind of control only upon the patriarch’s death. Azkaban wouldn’t have been just cause for Lucius to give control of all the Malfoy inheritance. He and Narcissa receive a very comfortable allowance from Draco. However, it is Draco that wields the Malfoy power; he even took the Malfoy Crest signet ring from Lucius, which makes everything official. All good, if you ask me. Draco’s a good man, despite his insensitivity at times. He’s the finest man the Malfoy line has thus far produced to date.”



“I don’t understand.”



“My point, my dear, is you should not take things at face value. While it’s true that Draco will manipulate at times to get what he wants, it’s not all bad. He suffered so much during those Hogwarts years, wanting what he couldn’t have and living in constant fear. After the war, he swore he’d never allow anyone or anything to control his life like that again. Draco made a conscious choice to follow his heart and instincts. His time spent in community service allowed Draco to become his own man without having to answer to Lucius and his preposterous pureblood values or anyone else’s notions as to how he should live his life.”



Hermione listened in rapt fascination, this conversation a rare gift that allowed her a glimpse of the man who made her heart ache like no one else. “I don’t know what to say Cecilia.”



“Well, I’ve already said too much. Draco would be quite displeased with me if he knew I’d told you this much.”



“Of course, I shan’t say a word.”



Cecilia studied Hermione before grinning slyly. “You won’t will you? I can see why you’re special. Not to worry, all will be revealed in due time. Go on now, you’ve charms to perfect.”



“Thank you for your time Cecilia.” Hermione turned to go but stopped as she heard her name called out, she looked back at Cecilia questioningly.



“I’ll say one last thing, Draco’s a very patient man; he’s been known to wait years while pursuing his . . . dreams.” The Regency beauty gave a saucy wink and wave.



Leaving Hermione to ponder that last enigmatic statement.



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I love Cecilia, don’t you?