Sweet Justice

This chapter was VERY long in coming for many reasons. Work has totally consumed my life to the point where its difficult to find time to read a few new fanfics, let alone write them. That, and my muse had completely and utterly abandoned me.
Thanks to the holiday I have a few hours to myself, and seeing the first half of HP7 in theaters last month has stoked the embers of writing a bit.
Thanks to all my fans for hanging on to this story this long...so here we go.
PS if anyone is art inclined, I would love it if someone sketched up a tattooed, muggle-clothes-wearing Draco for me.

Chapter 7

It was the steady noise of running water that stirred Draco from his slumber. Peeking his eyes open in the brightly lit living room, he found himself alone on the couch, half covered with a throw blanket, with the scrappy orange cat glaring down at him from the side table. “Granger?” he spoke sleepily, but realizing she was probably in the shower he figured he would get up.

Standing up, Draco discovered his pants tossed over the back of the chair. Pulling them on he glanced back at Crookshanks, who was still burning a hole in him. “What are you looking at?” Sleepily he scanned the room, and finding no other clothes he just decided he would look for his shirt later.

Running his fingers through his now very untamed hair, the blonde thought to himself how much his image had changed in such a short amount of time. If someone had told him a year ago that he would be wearing only muggle jeans, with his arm completely tattooed, and his hair awry while standing in a mud-bloods living room. He would have thought them daft. Smirking to himself, he made his way down the hallway.

In the kitchen he found a pot of coffee already made and helped himself to a cup. As he poured the dark liquid into his mug, the events of the previous night crept back in a warm flood. Leaning into the counter his eyes went out of focus as his thoughts drifted.

He had been with his share of women before. All of which were Slytherin (and in one case Ravenclaw) girls looking to spend a night with the platinum prince. Either for the thrill of it, or just to say that they had a taste. But last night was different. He had never been with someone that he would consider his equal.

A chill ran up Draco's spine at his own admittance.

She was his equal. Perhaps even more. She was a brilliant witch, an ambitious business woman, remarkable in bed, and unlike the other women he'd been with, without emotional flaws or baggage.

He couldn't say that he loved her, primarily because it was largely a foreign emotion to him. He could, however, admit that he respected her. More so than any other female he knew from Hogwarts.

Hearing the water turn off upstairs, Draco pulled out another mug and poured a second cup of coffee. Unsure of how much sugar or cream she took he left it black for the moment. Taking a sip out of his own mug he was startled by a resounding 'CRACK', spilling some of the hot contents down his chin. Wiping the scalding liquid off his face and cursing to himself, he didn't have time turn around before he heard a familiar and irritating voice come from the foyer.

“Mione? You home?” Said the voice, and with the shuffling of boots Draco heard the intruder round the corner. Without turning around he knew without a doubt, that Ron Weasley was standing behind him. “Oh!” There was a pause. “I'm sorry mate, I didn't realize she had company.” He said in a surprised, but friendly tone.

It struck Draco at that point how different he really must look, at least from behind. If the weasel didn't recognize him...yet.

“Is Hermione around?” Ron asked a bit awkwardly.

The blonde sighed to himself. This was going to be off putting and he really didn't feel like dealing with any Weasley, especially Ron. Yet a devious Malfoy grin crept to his lips as he lay his coffee on the counter before turning around to face the redhead. There was about a two second delay before the gingers face went from calm to shocked and confused. He may enjoy this unforeseen surprise yet.

“She's just getting out of the shower. I'm sure she'll be down in a moment.” He said as casual and straight faced as he could muster.

The look on Ron's face was priceless. At first it seemed as though he wasn't entirely sure of what he was looking at before it cringed into confusion and rage. “What the bloody hell are you doing in Hermione's house?” He said, fists clenching.

Leaning back on the counter Draco smirked. “She invited me.” He said, venom lacing his words.

“That's bollocks. Why in Merlin's name would she invite you.”

Picking up his coffee, the blondes gray eyes darted to a pair of pink lace panties in the corner of the dining room floor before coming back up to Ron. He smirked as the weasel glanced behind him to see the lacy bundle as well.

Draco had expected an annoyed or even angry Weasley. Perhaps even a curse to be thrown his way. What he hadn't expected was to be tossed back against the refrigerator like a rag doll. “What did you do to her?! I know you can't use magic. Did you slip her a potion? Or drugs?!” He yelled at the dazed blonde.

Ron was so angry he was shaking, and all Draco saw was stars. Playing Quidditch non-stop for months had put some muscle on the already bulky ginger.

Pulling himself up by the fridge handle the two pure-bloods stood at odds with one another. “Like Granger would be foolish enough to let anyone slip her anything.” He said angrily, shoving back the advancing Ron. “And what business is it of yours who she spends her time with? She's a big girl. She doesn't need you or your boyfriend to-”

Draco didn't have time to dodge the punch before it made contact with the bridge of his nose. He heard the 'crack' of bone before he felt it. Room spinning, he brought his hands up to his face, blood pouring out from between his fingers and down his arm.

It was then, in their most glorious moment...

“RONALD WEASLEY!”

Both men looked up to see a livid Hermione, hair still wet and draped in a dark red robe. Shoving her way past the redhead, she stood between the two men. “Move your hands.” She ordered the blonde, who's nose was already turning purple at the bridge. “Your nose is broken. Hang on.” Pulling her wand out of her robe pocket, she pointed it at his face. “Episkey.”

“Ahh!” With another crack, the bones in Draco's nose were set back into place, bruising banished, and bleeding stopped. “Thanks.” He said dryly.

Injury mended, she turned back to her former housemate. “What on Earth do you think you are doing?!” She yelled, placing emphasis on each word.

Baffled and confused by Hermione's question, Ron struggled to answer. “I...He was...I...” He paused. “What is he doing in your house?!”

“He's keeping me company! What are YOU doing in my house unannounced?” She said, poking him in the chest.

At this, Ron seemed hurt. “Mione...my team is back in town. I didn't know until last night and I just wanted to stop by and surprise you. Maybe, I don’t know, take you out to lunch.”

Hermione's fury diminished at Ron's statement. “Well...that's sweet of you.” She frowned. “But that gives you know right to apparate in my kitchen and start a row with my company.”

Ron made an off put face. “Since when is Draco Malfoy your 'company'?” His expression changed to concerned. “I hope he's not taking advantage of you.”

Hermione huffed. “How do you know I'm not the one taking advantage of him.” To this Draco couldn't help but snort-laugh. She turned to him. “You shut up, I'll deal with you in a moment.” Putting on a false pout, the blonde leaned back to enjoy the rest of the show.

“So now you're fraternizing with the enemy...again?” Ron asked, glaring at Draco.

Hermione pinched the bridge of her nose and took a deep, calming breath. “Ron. Who I sleep with is my decision. Be it a good or a bad decision is of my own concern. I'm fairly sure you've had your bed warmed by a fan or two who had a less than admirable nature.” To this Ron suddenly became very interested in his shoes. “True, Malfoy is still the cocky, pretentious, git that he was in school.” Draco just shrugged. It was true. “But I've found that there's more to him than that and, believe it or not, he's learned a little bit of humility.”

There was a resounding silence in the kitchen. Sighing, Hermione crossed her arms. “Give me a change to dry my hair and get dressed and I'll let you treat me to lunch. There's a new cafe I've been meaning to go to anyway.”

Both men perked up to this. Ron smiled while Draco looked shocked. What was she doing?

Turning to the blonde she walked up and kissed him on the cheek. Much to both of their surprise. “We on for dinner at five o'clock?” The confused prince nodded after processing her request. “Good. Find your clothes, clean that blood off your face, and I'll write you up a list of groceries before you go.” With this, she turned and marched back upstairs. “Do try not to kill each other while I get changed!” She yelled down the stairs.

For a long and very awkward moment, the two men stood in silence in the small kitchen. Draco was the first to speak.

“Well, Granger just put us in our place. Didn't she?”

Slowly Ron nodded, still glaring at the bloodied blonde. “Right...She's always been strong willed.”

Smirking, Draco agreed as he pinched past the bulky ginger in search of the rest of his clothing. “Try not to talk about me too much during lunch. Alright Weasley?” He said in a mocking threat.

Arms crossed, Ron leaned against the door frame. “No guarantees.”

XXXX

Well there you go my wonderful fans! Perhaps not the chapter most of you would have expected, but whats a story without a little conflict?

This story isn’t quite done yet. But input from the fans always helps me motivate myself. So R&R please!