Markings of an Inmate

Chapter Seven: Finding the Cure

I wasn’t sleeping well, even with Mi wrapped up in my arms. My mind kept reeling over how closely McNair and Astoria had watched us. Liam didn’t bother me so much. He’d come to me a day or two later, ask what was going on, and be done with it.

No, it was the other two stares that had me on edge.

I looked over at the clock by my bed and saw that it was two in the morning. I groaned; it was the third time in four hours I had woken up. I needed to do something to ease my mind or I was never going to sleep.

I gently untangled myself from Mi and sat on the edge of my bed, head in my hands. My head hurt and my body was exhausted.

“Draco,” I felt a warm hand on my bare back. I had stopped sleeping with a shirt a few nights ago once I became comfortable with her tracing the scars and tattoos.

“Hmm,” I said sleepily.

“Are you okay?” She sat up, wrapping her arms around my waist and resting her head on my shoulder.

“Yeah, just can’t sleep, pet.”

“Anything I can do?” She asked, gently kissing my shoulder.

“No love, just go back to sleep.”

She nodded and moved away from me, snuggling deeper into the blankets. I stood up slowly and grabbed a white long-sleeve shirt I had draped over the chair and slipped it over my head.

I made my way quietly down the stairs and through the portrait door. I was going to Snape’s chambers. I knew he would be asleep, but didn’t care. He was one of the reasons I was suffering this misery; he could bloody well wake his arse up for me.

It took ten minutes to get to his rooms. I stood in front of the sleeping portrait, unsure of how to announce my arrival.

Shrugging, I poked the sleeping man until he woke.

“What do you want, boy?” The painting’s voice was gruff from sleep.

“I need to see Snape,” I said, bored.

“Do you have any idea what time it is?” I nodded in reply. “Then why are you here?”

“As I said before, I need to see him,” I sighed in annoyance. “The longer you keep me standing here, the longer you stay awake. Now, go get my godfather.”

“Fine,” he huffed in agitation and disappeared.

Five long minutes later, Snape opened the portrait door. His emotions were unguarded, surprise and happiness played behind his eyes.

“I haven’t forgiven you, yet,” I said, haughtily, before pushing past him and into the sitting area.

“Then do tell me why you are waking me up in the wee hours of the morning?” He crossed the room and sat down gracefully on one of the black, leather winged-backed chairs.

“I need to see my mother,” I announced, ignoring his look of surprise.

“And this couldn’t wait until later this morning?”

“No,” I replied, tersely.

“May I inquire why?”

“That is none of your concern,” I stated, harshly.

“You are the one who came to me,” concern laced his voice.

Shaking my head, I felt the defeat and guilt coursing through my veins. “I need out of the contract.”

“This is about the affair you’re having with Ms. Granger.” His voice was quiet, as he stared at me.

Rage consumed my body. “She isn’t my sodding mistress.” I tried to understand the feeling of guilt that consumed me as I explained our relationship to him.

“Oh, is she not?” Snape let out a vicious chuckle. “Are you not asking out of a marriage contract?”

“You know nothing of the dealings between us! And I suggest you tread carefully, and watch what you say.” I pushed myself roughly from the chair.

“I think you need to keep you temper in check, boy.” His voice was edged in a parental authority tone that caused me to sink slowly back into my seat. “I know a lot more than you think, Draco.”

I didn’t want to listen to this.

“You have a duty to your family, Draco.” He sounded a lot like Father.

“What about a duty to myself? I am fucking seventeen years old, and I am Lord Malfoy. I am in control of a business empire, estates, and bank accounts all around the world. I am only a kid.” I felt my frustration and anger toward my father pour out. “If I am old enough to control all of that, then by the law of the gods, I am going to decide who I want to marry.”

“You’ll make the right choice, for yourself and your family. I have faith in you.” I saw the pride in his eyes.

I remembered seeing that emotion in his eyes before Lucius tried to subject me to that megalomaniacal lunatic. I could also remember the feeling of safety the settled over me when I was with him. I could feel the trust I had for him consuming me once more.

“You don’t know anything, godfather,” my voice was soft and broken. “You know nothing of me and what is mine. Not anymore.”

“Then tell me, Draco,” he pleaded softly with me. “Let me back in. Allow me to fix my mistakes.”

“You can’t fix them, not these.” I looked up and saw sadness in his dark eyes.

“Let me try.”

“You couldn’t fathom what I went through this summer,” I felt distrust and hurt flow through me. “You don’t know what they did to me; because of my name, because of who Father was and what he did. You could never understand how it was to see him for the last time.”

“Draco . . .” his voice was quiet and pained.

“They marked me.” Hurt laced my voice as I finally broke down and admitted the truth. “They marked me, they cursed me, and she doesn’t care. She wants me and cares for me, because of me. Not because of my money, or my name, because of me.” I stood up and pulled my shirt over my head and heard the gasp of shock. “She not disgusted by these, she understands.”

My voice was hoarse and cracked. I needed him to understand.

I felt my knees go weak, and crumpled to the Persian rug on the floor in a heap of sobs. I felt his arms go around me, while all I could do was cry.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Theo, Blaise and I walked silently back the Heads’ Common Room after our conditioning practice. I had just recapped the encounter with Snape, leaving out certain weepy parts. Theo had a comforting, supportive hand on my shoulder. Blaise, on the other hand, was eerily calm, it was scary.

“Are you going to say anything, mate?” Blaise’s golden eyes scanned my silver ones carefully. His emotions were heavily guarded.

“Think you did the right thing.” He had wanted to tell Severus about our situation all along, but I wasn’t ready and he supported my decision.

“So you’re not angry, that I did it by myself?”

A small grin played on his lips as he shook his head.

When we entered the Heads’ dorms, I placed my broom in the closet near the door. I looked up to the sitting area and saw our girls plus four guests. I really didn’t care that Potter and Red were there, but Weasley and his chit really needed to stay away from Mi.

I walked over to where they sat and, gracefully, sank down onto the floor in front of Mi, who was sitting on the couch. She smiled at me and ran her fingers through the dampened mess of my hair, gently fisting a handful and tugging.

Gods, I loved it when she did that. It made me think . . . no, do not go there. I arched my back, as pleasure tickled down my spine.

I could hear Blaise and Theo laugh at my reaction. I looked over at Potter and saw a light shade of pink on his cheeks. ‘Hmm, interesting,’ I thought. I didn’t even bother glancing over at Weasley. I already knew he was fuming.

“You need a shower,” she said quietly as she pushed me away, releasing her trapping legs. She climbed off the couch and into my lap, nestling against my shoulder.

“Thought you said I needed a shower?” I teased lightly.

“That can wait, Draco, and snuggles can’t,” she was absolutely adorable.

I smiled and rested my head atop hers.

“Well, if you aren’t going to use the shower anytime soon . . .” Theo called out, standing up with his bag that contained clean clothes. “I’m going to borrow it.”

I laughed softly and nodded my approval. He strolled away and shut the door behind him.

“So mate, what is there to do today?” I looked up at Blaise’s question.

“I’m kicking all of you out, so I can have some private time with my girl.” The gang with the exception of Brown and Weasley, gasped in mock hurt.

“I’m not leaving you alone with Hermione,” the ignorant redhead seethed.

“I don’t see where that is your choice, Weasel.” I shot back. I could feel Mi stiffen against me from the tension in my voice. “I thought I made that perfectly clear yesterday.”

“You don’t scare me Malfoy.”

“Not yet, you mean.” I eased Mi gently up and stood.

“Fuck you, Malfoy.” He scrambled to his feet and tried to close the distance between us but Potter stopped him, while Blaise watched with dark amusement.

“A bit of help, Blaise,” Potter asked.

“No, the bastard should get a beating. See how much he likes it.” Blaise chuckled. I saw Potter cringe at the hatred and cruelty in the Italian’s voice.

Pansy, Daphne, and Ginny watched us with fear in their eyes. Mi remained quiet, watching me intently. My eyes never left Weasel’s form. I was quite tired of his rants.

“You had your chance, and you screwed up. Now, I am receiving the benefits of her attentions, and it’s killing you, isn’t it? Knowing your golden girl is in the arms of Draco Malfoy, son of a Death Eater, your enemy.” I smirked devilishly. “It kills you to know she feels safer with me than you.”

I curled my tongue behind my teeth and smirked.

“Enough, Draco,” I heard Mi say softly behind me. At some point, she had gotten up from the floor.

“No, it’s not enough. He fucking hit you, played you and you think a few choice words are enough?” I turned to look at her, my gaze and voice losing its hatred and malice, becoming soft and concerned.

She gasped. I could see tears swimming in her eyes as I embraced her. “Mi,” I said gently, nuzzled my face into her neck, willing her to calm down.

“Just leave, Ronald.” I could hear her voice crack.

At this point, Theo exited the bathroom, done with his shower. “I missed something, didn’t I?” I heard Theo say.

“How about we all leave? I think they have something they need to talk about.” Daphne grabbed Blaise, pulling him out of the room. Pansy and Red called out their goodbyes, before following their boyfriends.

“Hermione?” Weasley’s voice was gentle and pleading.

“Just leave!” Hermione glared at him. He nodded solemnly before guiding Brown out of the portrait hole.

She pulled away from me, putting some distance between us. I felt hurt and uncertain. I was pretty sure she could see it clearly in my eyes.

“So, that’s what Harry gave you to think about?” She paused and took in a shuddering breath. “He told you what happened between Ron and me?”

I had no idea how to respond. “Her . . .”

“It’s an easy ‘yes or no’, Draco,” she cut me off in a sharp voice.

I looked at my boots and nodded in response.

“So, what? You think I’m pathetic, as well?” I could hear the tears. My head snapped up.

“Gods, no. Hermione, love!” I crossed the distance and wrapped my arms tightly around her shaking frame. “You were in love with him. That’s not pathetic.”

She sobbed softly against my shoulder.

“Pet, listen to me,” I pleaded gently with her. “I’ve said this before. He isn’t worth any of this. He was stupid. He’s the past, and in the past is where he needs to bloody well stay. I’m your future, as you are mine.” I sighed when she hadn’t stopped.

“I can beat him to a pulp, and then let Blaise and Theo have a shot at him, if you like. I know they both would be more than happy to oblige.”

I smiled when I heard her let out a feeble snort. “Thanks, I think.”

I laughed and made her face me, brushing away the stray tears on her cheeks. “My pleasure, kitten, it’s my job to make you feel better.”

She leaned against my shoulder, again, and I felt her relax. “I didn’t want you to find out that way.” She admitted, softly.

“He didn’t tell me much. It was more like a wonkish set of cliff notes.”

She let out another giggle that made me smile. “Wonkish?”

“Um . . .Yeah.” What the hell was wonkish? Did I just make up a word?

“Well, at least he respected me that much,” she said with an annoyed sigh.

“He was just looking out for you, Mi.” I tightened my grip around her.

“From who? You? Please,” she huffed.

I looked down at her, slightly confused. “My reputation?”

“You treated your past relations better than Ron ever treated me.”

I smiled broadly and nodded, feeling slightly triumphant. “I am glad you’re finally realizing what he did to you was wrong.”

She winced, shame washing over her lovely features once more. “It was my fault really.” Her voice was soft and I felt rage boil in my blood.

“Pray tell, how in the hell was his cheating your fault?” My voice was as cold as ice, and I could feel her stiffen against me.

“I don’t really want to talk about it,” she replied sounding defeated and small.

I immediately felt my anger fade quickly. “You need to talk about it,” I prodded, gently. She looked up at me, shifting off my lap and to the other side of the couch.

“Some tea first,” she paused and took in a steady breath. “And then I’ll tell you.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Her hands held the china cup tightly as she stared at the hearth, into the fire. My cup sat on its saucer on the coffee table, as I waited for her to talk. I was still unsure if I wanted to hear this painful part of her past.

She took a deep cleansing breath before beginning.

“When our relationship began, he was still with Lavender.” She set her cup down on the table and gently wrung her hands. I tugged one of her small soft ones into my large calloused one. I was amazed how it swallowed hers yet fit so perfectly. “I guess it should have been a sign.”

I remained silent and rubbed my thumb over her knuckles in a soothing manner.

“We both admitted that it was a mistake, and we were just caught up in the moment. At the time, I remember thinking there wasn’t any truth behind my words. I had been attracted to him for a while.”

“Love, are you sure you are ready for this?”

All she did was nod. I felt pride in her strength and trust for me.

“We kept dodging the situation for a while until, well, until I heard him talking to her. They were in an abandoned classroom and Lavender didn’t like the fact that Ron and I were so close, especially after what had happened between us. While Ron never said anything, she suspected that something had occurred.” I gave a reassuring squeeze to her hand before she continued. “That’s when he told her that nothing was going on between us; I was nothing more than a friend. That he would never see me that way, I was too much of a bookworm and not really that pretty.”

I could feel my disgust for the git start to cloud my senses.

“All I remember was the overwhelming feeling of shame and hate towards him.” She chuckled softly. “I went to Harry after that, in tears and he made Ron choose: Lavender or me. I thought he chose me, but I was wrong.”

“You have to understand, I thought I was in love with him. I know it sounds stupid, but I could have forgiven him for anything.” She paused and looked at me. “I need to know what Harry told you, exactly.”

I quickly gave a brief explanation of the talk Potter and I had.

“He told you about the second time,” she nodded, quietly.

There was more than one time the bastard did what he did?! Holy fucking gods!

“Second time?” I repeated and she cast her eyes down.

“The first time was during the war, when he left Harry and me.” She paused and gathered herself. “I went to find him and he was in bed with her.” My heart ached for her. “I found the boy I gave my virginity to, not three days prior, in bed with another girl.”

“He came back a week later, pulled me aside claiming he was drunk and wasn’t responsible for his actions. He swore he loved me, and that it would never happen again. I told him I needed time; he said he’d wait. When I was ready, he said he wasn’t. He claimed he hadn’t forgiven himself and needed his time, as well. So I waited.”

I really, really wanted to bash Weasel’s face in. I could see through his little ruse – bastard!

“The war ended, and I found him with Lavender. Again. When he saw me, he pushed her away and came to me saying it wasn’t what it looked like. He was just comforting her about the loss of her brother. I ignored my instincts and convinced myself that he wouldn’t lie to me.” She paused and stared at me. “You see, love makes us liars, even to ourselves.”

“Love makes us blind, not liars.” I countered.

She scoffed and shook her head. “You know what happened the second time. Well, what Harry didn’t tell you was what happened in the library.”

My breath hitched. She was going to tell me what happened, when she hadn’t even told her friends.

“We broke up for good that day; Ron just made it seem as if we were fine. We weren’t, I broke up with him. I told him if he really, truly loved me there wouldn’t have been a second time. Ron tends to let his anger get the best of him. He gets very hot-headed, at times.”

Inhaling deeply, she closed her eyes. It was clear that this was very painful.

“He told me if I wasn’t such a frigid bitch, he wouldn’t have had to go to Lavender for his pleasure. You see, I hadn’t slept with him since . . . well, since that first time. I didn’t trust him enough to be with him again.” She sighed sadly. “I smiled to make it seem as if I was fine. That Ron and I were still at least friends.”

“The train ride?” I asked, remembering the first time I had seen her this year.

“He was trying to have me forgive him. Claiming that everything that happened in the past didn’t mean anything, that he loved me and wanted to make it work. I told him after all that he had done he was lucky I let him in as much as I did. That’s when he told me I was overreacting.”

She looked up at me and smiled slightly.

“Feel better?” I asked as I pulled her closer.

“Surprisingly, yes.” She sighed and relaxed against me. “You’re right, he’s the past, and right now, you’re the future.” I smiled in response.

“Can we go slow?” Her voice was quiet.

“As slow as you need, love.” I said as I kissed the crown of her head. She snuggled closer to me.

“Draco?”

“Hmm?” I asked, closing my eyes and relaxing.

“You really need that shower.”

I couldn’t help myself, I had to laugh.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“What do you think I should do?” I asked Blaise. I was at the end of my rope; Mi’s behavior was worrying me.

“You need to confront her about it, in a calm manner.” Blaise lounged lazily on the armchair in front of me.

I had just finished explaining how Mi had been behaving over the past three weeks. How every night after we fell asleep, I would wake up alone in bed, and when I went to look for her, she wasn’t anywhere in the suite. How I would wake up later in the morning after going back to sleep alone, to find her not only in bed with me but she’d be exhausted throughout the day.

I didn’t know what to make of it, but my mind was reeling over the possibilities.

“Mate, do you really think she’s cheating on you?”

I shrugged my shoulders. I wasn’t used to being in a relationship. “I don’t know, what do you think? It seems that way. Maybe I pushed her into this too fast. Maybe she’s not over Weasley.”

Blaise glared at me. “She’s over him,” he let out a ragged sigh. “I don’t think she is cheating on you, and from what Potter says, she gets like this from time to time. Apparently when she’s on a mission or something. Maybe the Order has her researching something for them.”

“The war is over. Why would they need her to res . . .”

The portrait door flew open to reveal a much-disheveled Mi, standing there with what looked like a ton of books and files.

“Good, you’re here!” she said breathless. “I have been looking for both of you everywhere.”

Blaise stood up and walked over to her, taking some of her burden away. I stood up, a scowl on my face, and grabbed my cloak. I knew I was being childish but I didn’t care.

“Yeah, well, I’m leaving,” I said as I threw the material over my shoulders.

“B-but I just got here and I-I need to talk to you,” she said, slightly confused.

“I don’t want to talk.”

Blaise looked with a pained expression. “Can’t you wait until till she says what she has to, mate?”

“No!” I walked to where my boots were.

“Have I done something wrong?” Mi’s voice was so small, I nearly turned around.

“I don’t know. You tell me,” I said as I pulled on one of the dragon-hide shoes.

“Draco,” Blaise voice was hard.

“No!” I turned sharply to look at him. “No! I’m not going to put up with this.”

Mi looked at me, confused and hurt. “Put up with what? What have I done?” I could hear her voice crack.

“Nothing, love, nothing at all,” I said, gruffly.

“I had to have done something. You’re angry.”

“Of course I am!” I sighed. “I have been waking up every night for the past three weeks to find you gone! What the hell am I supposed to think Mi?”

“Draco! I said calm!” Blaise placed himself in front of her.

“I’m not going to hit her Blaise,” I said as I slid down the wall. Mi walked around Blaise and sank to her knees in front of me.

“I didn’t know, I would have told you what I was doing if you asked, but you never did. That’s what I wanted to talk about,” she said gently, placing a soft hand on my cheek. “I was researching something.”

“See! I told you!” Blaise pointed at me.

“Shut it!” I said callously.

Mi cleared her throat, her voice was soft. “I found the counter-curse to your probation.”

I heard Blaise gasp as I looked up in shock. “W-what?” I was dumbfounded.

“H-how?” Blaise echoed my disbelief.

“Research, and a couple of favors with a few Aurors I know,” she smiled down at me. “With your permission, I can explain your situation. I read over both of your case files; the guards were never allowed to do this. Tonks and Kingsley would be more than happy to help.”

I didn’t know what to say.

“What do you mean ‘they weren’t allowed to do this’? Do what exactly?” Blaise sat down beside us.

“The curse that was used on both of you was prohibited back in the late 1800s, because it was considered cruel and unusual punishment by the Council.” She sighed and took out the contracts that Snape had signed.

“Did your guardians read this?” Mi asked softly.

“I don’t think so,” I replied in a quiet and curious tone. “The guards just breezed over it and told Severus where to sign and his lawyers would have a copy to him in a day or two.” I paused. “Why?”

Mi took a deep breath before looking at me. “Because, in this contract it states that you wouldn’t be marked as an inmate.”

My world stopped. What? I couldn’t process this new information.

“Wait, what?” Blaise was as confused as I was.

“We weren’t supposed to be marked?” I was dumbfounded.

Mi shook her head. “You were only supposed to experience Azkaban, not actually be treated as an inmate.” She rubbed a small hand down my arm as I soaked everything in.

“Call them,” Blaise growled out.

“Excuse me?” Mi looked at him, slightly confused.

“Your Auror friends, call them,” he stated again.

“Draco?” She looked at me with pleading eyes and I could only nod in response.

“Fine, one moment.”

I was frozen to the spot, still trying to understand this new information. I felt her rise and heard her activate the Floo network. I could hear her talking quietly with someone, but still I didn’t – no, couldn’t – move.

When the call deactivated, she came and sat back down. “They’ll be here in a few minutes,” I heard her delicate voice. “Draco?” I knew she was worried, but I was still too much in shock to reply.

“Blaise,” I could hear the panic rise in her voice. “Blaise, he’s not moving.”

“Mi, just calm down, he’s in shock from everything. Just give him some time,” Blaise’s voice was soft and reassuring. I was thankful that he was here to keep her calm.

I didn’t move from my spot on the floor until I heard a soft rapping at the portrait hole. I quickly scrambled to my feet to open it. Just as I got there, the painting was drifting open to reveal Severus, a tall muscular black male, and a woman with bubble-gum pink hair. I blinked once at the vast difference between the three adults.

The large black bloke wore some kind of African garb under his crimson Auror robes, Severus was in his normal black on black wear, and the pink-haired woman wore a Weird Sisters t-shirt, black jeans, and gloves with the fingers cut out.

They were an odd group.

“Wotcher Cuz,” Pinkie spoke.

“Tonks!” I heard Mi exclaim. Pinkie pushed me aside and tripped over her own feet trying to get to my girl.

“Draco,” Snape’s robes billowed behind him as he sauntered into the suite.

“Mr. Malfoy,” the other bloke acknowledged. I stepped to the side to let him in.

I followed the trio into the sitting area, still staring at Pinkie. I looked to Blaise to see him watching the two newcomers with the same interest.

“Whatcha starin’ at?” Pinkie asked as she turned from Mi.

“Why is your hair that color?” I knew there was this confused expression on my face. Mi stifled a small laugh.

“She’s a Metamorphmagus,” realization coursed through me.

“Oh,” was all I could say. Pinkie turned back to Mi and began talking quietly with her.

“Miss Granger, you said it was of the utmost urgency,” Severus noted with a curt nod.

I turned to Severus, whom didn’t seem as surprised by the situation as I was.

“Oh yes,” she gestured to Blaise and I. “Show them.”

I looked uneasily at Blaise, who nodded in encouragement and pulled off his shirt to reveal the tattoos. I simply followed his lead.

“They were in the detention program.” Mi state softly, after Pinkie and the other man gasped at our marred chests.

“I remember Mum saying something about him goin’ in there.” I felt a gentle hand trace over a design on my shoulder.

“The children in the program weren’t to get marked.” The thick accent the stranger had was oddly comforting.

“I know, and they weren’t supposed to have the probation curse either.” Again, I heard a couple of sharp intakes of breath.

“Are you sure?” Pinkie’s voice was close to breaking.

“Yes,” I mumbled.

“Kingsley, what can be done about this?” Severus stepped beside me handing me my shirt. I quickly drew it over my head. Kingsley was the man’s name.

“First, we need to find the counter to this cur . . .”

Mi held put her hands to stop him. “Already have it,” she said smiling. I couldn’t help but to smile with her. She was so proud. “I’ve been researching since I called you the first time.” She handed over a couple of the files and waited for the three others to sift through them.

“Well, it seems that we have what we need to perform the counter curse.” Kingsley sank down into one of the armchairs. “Once you two are out of harm’s way, we can go back to the office and start an investigation.” Blaise and I shared a look of terror.

“Harm’s way?” My voice was trembling as I asked. Mi looked between the two of us with a pained expression.

“It was outlawed because if probation was not met, after repeated occurrences or a repeat of the offense, the curse would inevitability rip the offender apart, killing them.”

I gulped. What in Merlin’s name had they done to us?

“K-k-kill them?” Blaise’s voice shook.

“That’s why Kingsley is going to do the counter right now!” Mi reassured, looking pointedly over at the man.

“Of course, it will be over in moments, boys.” He waved his wand in a complex manner before mumbling an incantation I couldn’t hear under his breath.

A small pleasant tingle ran through the course of the tattoos.

“How do we know it worked, or even if Mi had the right curse?” Blaise asked as the tingles stopped.

“You don’t have fai . . .”

I cut her off by grabbing her wrist and yanking her hard into me, and crashing my mouth to hers. She fought for a second before moaning into the kiss. I used the opportunity to slip my tongue into her mouth.

She tasted like fucking heaven.

Our kiss deepened with emotion, our tongues in our common battle for dominance. Reluctantly, I pulled back, breathless, waiting for the pain that accompanied these types of kisses.

“Think it worked,” I said, still breathing heavily when the pain did not surface. Mi ran her hands up and down my back and under my shirt; pulling back to reveal clean dry hands.

“No open wounds, no pain,” I said, a smile quickly creeping onto my lips. “No curse!” I picked Mi up in my arms and spun her around in glee. I peppered her face in small innocent kisses before pulling her into one that held all the same passion the first one held.

“Ah-hem.” I turned to Blaise who was smiling. He quickly crossed the few feet between us and took us into a tight hug. “Thank you so much Mi,” he said kissing the top of her head in gratitude.

I looked to the two Aurors, smiling. “Thanks Pinkie, Kingsley. You don’t know what this mean to me, to us,” I said looking at Blaise. Pinkie was looking at me with an amused expression.

“Pinkie?” Both she and Mi questioned. Kingsley let out a booming laugh and Severus just rolled his eyes but I could see a smirk playing on his face.

“Do you call everyone after their hair? First, it’s Ginny and now, poor Tonks?” Mi laughed lightly.

“No, it’s fine Hermione. I like it, but only my little cousin can call me that.”

I looked at her questioningly.

“Surely you recognize me, tyke.”

I just stared at her gob smacked. Finally, I made the connection. “Nymphadora?!” She chuckled at my exclamation. She and her partner gathered their robes and started to make their way to the door with Severus trailing behind them.

“One warning: never call me that. Another time we’ll sit down and catch up,” she said as she tripped once more over her feet, but Kingsley caught and steadied her. “But we need to be getting back so we can work on the case.”

I thanked them as they walked out the door. Snape gave me a pointed look and glanced at Mi, briefly. Then he nodded his farewell and followed them out of the portrait hole.

“I’ll see you two later, I’m going to go find Daph and tell her what just happened.” Blaise quickly picked up his cloak and looked over his shoulder while walking out the entryway. “Thank you again Mi.” She smiled softly at him, watching as he practically ran out of the suite.

Alone at last!

I turned to her, a small smirk playing on my lips. She took a few cautious steps back, no doubt a bit worried at the predatory expression on my face.

“Draco?” Her voice was soft, but I could hear her excitement.

I only said one word. “Run!”

Gasping, she took off quickly up the stairs. I waited for a few seconds before taking off after her.

Once at the top, I stopped and willed myself to calm down long enough to listen. Being trained by a Death Eater did come in handy every once in a while, I mused. I stayed still and heard a small thud in Mi’s room.

I let out a soft chuckle. Let the games begin.

I stalked silently to the cracked door of her room and slipped in quietly. My smirk grew when I saw her reflection in the full-length mirror in the corner of the room. She was crouched down beside her bed and the side table, panting, a smile playing on her lips.

I let out a small laugh and saw her jump. By the angle of the mirror, I knew she couldn’t see me. I took a few steps closer to the bed, never letting her from sight in the mirror. I could practically see her brain working, devising a plan. I saw her chance a glance towards the bathroom door.

“Ah ah ah,” I said taking a step behind the silk curtain that she used to change. “That’s not wise, pet!”

I watched the panic dance across her beautiful face, and couldn’t help but relish the fact she was cornered. Yes, primitive, I know, but gone was the shy boy afraid to touch Mi. In his place was a man who knew what he wanted.

I turned away from the mirror for just a second, gauging my distance from the bathroom door, and when I looked back, she wasn’t there. So, this is how she was going to play this – the little minx! I stopped smiling and narrowed my eyes, seeing where she could be hiding. I was determined to win this game of hunter and prey.

I waited, still staring at the mirror, and caught the dust ruffle move very slightly. I laughed silently. Gods, I loved this game. I quickly crossed the room to her bed and reached under. I grabbed her ankle and dragged her out from under the bed. She yelped and thrashed against my hold.

Once she was completely out, I pulled her up roughly and pulled her back flush against me, grinding my hardened cock against her backside. She let out a delicious moan.

“I win,” I breathed in her ear. I spun her around and pushed her hastily to the bed.

She shivered as I stared at her. Gods, I loved how responsive she was.

“Draco,” she breathed out.

“Shh,” I said softly as I traced the creamy exposed skin of her thigh. “If you want me to stop, just say it and I will. No need to worry, love. I won’t push you into something you’re not ready for.” I drank her in as my gazed traveled up and down her body, allowing myself not to hold back. My eyes locked with hers. “I just want to play.” I said huskily, trailing my hand down her thigh and calf to her foot.

I pulled the white trainers off and threw them over my shoulders, and repeated the action with her socks. I pulled one foot up to my lips and kissed her arch, gently biting, causing her to buck upward. That gave me a glimpse of her naughty, navy blue knickers. I kissed my way up her to her little toes and sucked her big toe in her mouth.

So, I have a foot fetish, kill me.

She squirmed delightedly on the bed. I dropped her small foot and pushed her upwards on the bed. She quickly shifted herself so that she was lying against the length instead of its width. I smirked as I kicked off my boots and socks and climbed up her body.

“Do you know how long I’ve wanted to do this to you?” I smirked as I placed open-mouthed kisses on her neck, sucking softly on her pulse point.

“Do you know how long I’ve just wanted to let go with you?”

She whimpered underneath me as I bit down on her collarbone.

“Do you know the things I want to do to you?”

Her body bowed into mine and another breathless moan escaped her lips.

Suddenly, I realized I was being very forward and a little rough. I pulled back slightly to look into her eyes, uncertainty in my own. “I’m not hurting you, am I?”

She shook her head quickly. “It’s really different, but I like it.”

“Good.” A small smile graced my lips as I caught hers in a passionate kiss. “If I get too rough or you don’t like what I’m doing, or I start doing something you’re not ready for, tell me,” I said as I pulled back again. She nodded, softly smiling at me.

She hesitantly grounded her hips against mine, causing me to hiss out in pleasure. Gods, I needed to touch her.

“I’m going to touch you,” I said softly into her ear and trailed my hand to her tie, quickly undoing it before unbuttoning the tiny buttons on her shirt. I pulled it open and drew back to look at her.

The gods be damned. What was it with her and matching knickers?

Her chest was heaving, her full breasts threatened to spill from the dark blue bra she had on. ‘Slow down Draco,’ I told myself, ‘you don’t want to scare her.’

I gently traced the outline of her bra, running my fingers over the soft bare skin. I groaned as she arched into my touch. I grabbed the mound gently with my hand and massaged it through the satin and lace.

I had to keep it slow. Though I knew she had been with Weasley in the past, I highly doubted he liked what I did. And I really doubted he saw her as I saw her. A gorgeous golden goddess.

I placed kisses against the top of her chest, tasting her skin. She was sweeter than I imagined. I moved and bit down on one of her hardened nipples through the bra and felt her curve up even more into me, her hands clenching the bed linens.

“Shh,” I soothed her. She was trembling with need. Gods, Weasley didn’t treat her right - emotionally, physically or sexually. It was going to be a whirlwind teaching her. And I could barely wait.

“Drac-co,” her voice even trembled as she pleaded for me.

“Yes, love?” I asked softly. “What is it?”

“I don’t know.” Her breath was ragged. I smirked as I kissed the side of her throat. “I need . . .” Her body shivered and I pulled back slightly, looking at her with curious eyes. “I don’t know,” she nearly sobbed.

I smiled as I ran a gentle hand down her face. “I know baby, I know. Shh, I’ll fix it.” She trembled under me when I spoke my promise. “Lean up, pet!”

She did as I asked and I ran a hand down her back, quickly undoing the clasp to her bra. I pulled it slowly away from her, sitting back on my knees so I could see her. I saw as she tried to cover herself, growing uncomfortable under my gaze, but I pinned both of her hands to her side.

“Don’t,” I said gently, removing one of my hands from hers and palming her soft skin down the valley between her breasts. “Don’t cover up,” I said again. “Gods, you’re beautiful.”

I leaned my head down and captured one of the perk numbs in my mouth, gently sucking. She gasped out at the sensations and grasped tighter onto my right hand. While I sucked and nipped softly on one, my free hand was playing with her other breast.

“This . . . isn’t . . . h-helping,” she whispered.

I smirked softly and let my hand travel down her body to the side-zipper of her skirt. “It will love, it will,” I said, as my lips and tongue alternated between the two mounds.

I slipped my hand into the loose skirt and under the elastic to her knickers, finding her cunt bare. I growled out and bit a little harshly into one of her nipples at the discovery.

“Oh!” she cried out. I quickly pulled back to see if I had hurt her but she just shook her head.

I gently ran my tongue over the nipple I had just abused as I inched my fingers down her slit, gently grazing over her sensitive clit, causing her to buck against my hand. I smirked. She was wet and ready for me, and I had barely even begun.

Gods, she was wonderful.

I probed gently with one finger at the outside of her opening, still gauging her reactions. When she bucked against me for the second time, I pushed in gently. Her sighs and moans were deliciously encouraging.

I added a second finger and began pumping them in and out of her slowly, my thumb rubbing small hard circles over her clit. I grinned as she moaned softly.

Gods, the effect she was having on me! My dick was hard as a rock, and straining painfully against my pants.

I curled my fingers, hitting just the right spot inside of her, and pressed harder on her sensitive nub. I smiled as she ground against my hand and came with a shaky breath and my name on her lips.

I pulled my fingers out slowly and enjoyed as she trembled from the aftershocks. What an ego-stroke!

Lazily, I licked each digit clean and watched as she stared, fresh new arousal present in her eyes. Merlin, she tasted good.

“Feeling better, kitten?” I asked, leaning down to softly nuzzle into her neck.

“Uh-huh,” she murmured back.

“I didn’t do anything you didn’t want me to, did I?” I placed gentle kisses on her throat.

“Nu-huh,”

I let out a laugh. “Is that all you can say? Uh-huh and nu-huh?”

She smiled at my mirth. “Uh-huh,” she breathed heavily, snuggling up against me, her small hand traveling over my bulge.

I rotated my hip slightly, causing her to touch more of my erection. I groaned as she squeezed slightly. “I don’t know what to do,” she said softly, suddenly looking unsure of herself.

‘Weasley is a fucking idiot,’ I thought, but I smiled softly at her. “You can’t mess anything up, love.” I said gently.

“Show me, please?”

I gritted my teeth as those words came out of her innocent mouth. Gods, her mouth. What I would show her to do with that pretty, sweet mouth. I took a deep, calming breath, reminding myself to slow down.

“Okay,” I said softly, unbuttoning and unzipping my pants then pulling them a little down my hips.

She stared a minute at my length before she wrapped her tiny, warm hand around it. I place my own hand around hers. I tightened both her grip and mine on my shaft before pumping in a steady motion, up and down.

Once she got the hang of it, I let go.

I let myself just feel and enjoy the sensations she was creating. I felt her rub her thumb over the tip, causing me to buck slightly. She stopped her movements all together.

I opened my eyes, trying to figure out why she had stopped. “Why did you stop?”

She let out a laugh at the desperation in my voice. “I thought I did something wrong,” she said wrapping her small hand around me again.

“No, nothing wrong, love,” I said through gritted teeth, as she began pumping me again. I could feel the build up in the base of my spine when I heard a knock at Mi’s door.

“Hermione,” Red’s voice flittered through the door. “Blaise let us in,” she knocked again. “Are you in there?” Mi looked at me, fearfully.

“Give us a second, Red,” I called back. I heard a surprised squeak from her.

“Okay, everyone’s downstairs.” I let out a soft growl and kissed Mi gently.

“I’m sorry,” she said softly.

“Shh, it’s okay. Not your fault.” Though I am going to kill Blaise, I thought.

She pushed me into the bathroom before shutting the door. I shrugged slightly and walked through it to my room, finding Blaise and Theo lounging patiently on my bed. Great, the talk.

“Hey, guys,” I said as I rummaged through my dresser for a pair of running pants.

“Hey, yourself,” Theo said smirking.

“Relaxed?” Blaise inquired.

I shot a hard glare over my shoulder. “That’s none of your business!”

They both looked at me, astonished.

“You’re not giving us details?” Theo asked sitting a little straighter.

“You two didn’t give me details about Pans and Daph, now did you?” I retorted, a smug look on my face.

“If I do remember correctly, you had already slept with Daphne and you didn’t want details about your ‘sister’,” Blaise said with a smirk on his face.

“Touché,” I said, smirking back.

“So?” Blaise prodded.

“Nope,” I stated, as I stripped myself of my school slacks and pulled on a pair of black running pants.

“Come on, mate!” Theo practically begged.

“We didn’t do much, okay? We got interrupted.” I tugged off my tie and shirt and pulled on a dark green, long-sleeved shirt.

“Sorry mate, I forgot we had made plans about dinner,” Blaise added.

I waved him off. “It’s okay, so did we.”

We walked out of my room and downstairs. Potter, Weasley, and Brown sat in the sitting area. I really didn’t understand why Mi continued to invite them here.

“Where are the girls?” I asked Potter, as I sat down in one of the armchairs.

“Upstairs.” He had an odd spark in his eye. I gave him a questioning look. “We’ll talk later.”

Shit, more talking.

I rolled my eyes. This was none of his business, but I nodded in response and looked up when I heard a couple of girlish giggles coming from the stairwell. Mi, Daph, Pans, and Red walked in from the kitchen. Mi had changed into a pair of green cotton shorts and a white t-shirt; they showed off her curves very nicely. I smiled softly as she crossed the room to come and sit on my lap.

I wrapped my arms around her waist and glared at Weasley when he cleared his throat. Mi gently ran a hand down my cheek, claiming my attention. She gave me a look as if to say ‘don’t worry about him.’

She knew my feelings about him being here, and she understood completely. She reassured me there was nothing to worry about when it came to him. Nonetheless, I hated his very presence and really didn’t think he deserved her forgiveness or friendship. He wasn’t going to get a chance to hurt her again, not with me around.

I let out a low growl when she tugged gently on my flaxen strands. “Stop that!” I scolded into her ear.

“I thought you liked it when I did that,” she said innocently.

“Yeah, I like it . . . just a little too much.” I nipped at her earlobe, causing her to gasp.

“Be nice,” she said swatting my arm playfully.

“If I’m a good boy, will I get a prize at the end of the night?” I leered.

“If you’re a good boy, you’ll just have to wait and see, won’t you?” Mi gave me a small peck on the lips.

I smirked at thought of what I was going to do to her tonight. She was in for a surprise!

~~~~~~~~~
Edited: Feb. 27, 2010
AN: Betas are Margarita & Sam