Anima

Chapter 8

Draco lay on his side, spooned up against a lovely brunette sleeping peacefully. An impulsive smile spread across his face, he leaning down to inhale her scent. He just felt so...happy. Deliciously, deliriously, happy. He was safe and well cared for by a mistress who only wanted what was best for him. It was everything he’d ever hoped for since all of those years ago when his instincts informed him what he needed. And it’s exactly what he wanted for her. She was so easy to please and he found himself eager to do anything to make sure she was happy and stayed that way.

But his thoughts drifted a little and worry and doubt settled in. Why was he here? Not that he wasn’t thankful for it or that he wished to be back at the Manor...but why here? Why her? In spite of what Hermione might think his father would not send him here. Lucius would rather slit his throat or make him a whore to Voldemort than give him over to a muggleborn witch.

So either someone had a perverse sense of humor...or Severus did this. It was the only possible explanation. Snape was one of the few people he’d trusted throughout his life, the man was his godfather after all. If only someone would tell him what happened during this mysterious seventh year then he could put the pieces together. He was almost completely certain the answer lay within those missing years.

A gentle hand smoothed the worry line forming between his eyebrows,” It’s too early for you to be thinking so hard.”

He smiled with a soft sigh and snuggled against her,” Sorry...”

Her fingers ran along his cheek and chin, basking in the newness of their closeness that had reached a new level. It had been so long since she’d been so close to someone, and she wasn’t thinking of just the physical. She could trust this man. Voice husky and sleep filled,” Don’t be...what were you puzzling about?”

Closing his eyes, wrapping his arms around her waist and pushing away his thoughts,” It’s nothing.” He didn’t want to ruin this moment with questions that could wait. And even more importantly, he didn’t want her to even think for an instant that he’d rather be anywhere else.

Her eyes sparked of amusement for a moment,” Alright, be that way. I will figure it out.” He chuckled softly, not doubting her for an instant. Catching a yawn and snuggling into him,” Get some sleep...”

***

After a casual breakfast together, Hermione worked through a few bills before attacking her computer while Draco spent about twenty minutes staring at the television before firmly deciding it was a completely boring past time and went off in search of a book. He found a few promising titles, curling up in a stuffed chair by the bay window and investigating them.

He’d become firmly engrossed in a fanciful depiction of knights hunting a dragon when Hermione stuck her head in, grinning to see him adapting so easily to her home,” I’m going to step out and work on my garden.”

He glanced up,” Garden?”

Shrugging just a little, hands behind her back,” Just a few roses and herbs. Nothing extensive...you want to see?” He shook his head after a moment and firmed his attention back on the novel. He only read through a paragraph before a soft slip of leather slipped around his neck. It was so soft he shivered, book forgotten as he caught Hermione’s eyes, his own filled with questions as she carefully fitted the leather around his neck,” Not too tight?” He wordlessly shook his head and she smiled,” Good. This is just a little something to remind you.”

His fingers brushed over the leather, realizing it was suede on the inside and hard leather on the outside. He could feel a small link of metal of wondered about it,” Remind me?”

She cupped his face, looking deeply into his eyes before possessing his lips in a searing kiss. He groaned softly, head tilting back as she owned him and seared him to his very soul with her passion. Her tongue thrust between his lips, pulling his into dancing as she whimpered in delight. Only when breathing became an absolute necessity did she pull back, nipping at his bottom lip as she panted quietly while he gulped in air,” To remind you that you’re mine.” A hard kiss and she escaped out the door, Draco slowly sliding bonelessly out of his chair and thudding to the ground with a light head. He sat there for a time, licking his lips and adjusting himself before grinning wickedly and wondering how the hell he could inspire her to do that again.

***

The doorbell rang, jarring Draco out of his book and he jerked around with slight alarm. Hermione was puttering around in the backyard, tending to the roses,” Tipsy! Get the-“ He slapped himself upside the head. No house elves. Right. She was only the founder of S.P.E.W., of course she wouldn’t have them. Stretching, marking his place, he padded out of the library and over to the door, opening it without a second thought.

He squinted just a little from the bright sunlight, nearly blinded from a crop of red reflecting the light. The owner of the red hair looked him up and down with a defensive, slightly bored tone,” Where’s Hermione?”

Smirking,” She’s out tending her flowers, Weaslette.”

Crossing her arms slowly and raising an eyebrow,” Are you going to invite me in?”

Blinking innocently,” Were you invited?”

Shaking her head,” No.”

Shrugging,” Then nope.” And he closed the door in her face with an evil expression. Knowing he had about twenty seconds before the volatile redhead got him in trouble with Hermione, he skidded through the hallway and kitchen, leaning outside the door and finding Hermione digging in a bed of flowers,” Weaslette’s coming to see you.”

Hermione poked her head up, looking confused,” What?” Just in time for Draco to close the kitchen door and disappear back into the house.

She frowned, jumping slightly when her gate was thrown open and Ginny Weasley came stomping through,” Mione, why do you put up with that asshole?” Hermione didn’t say anything except to sigh and cover her face with her dirty hands. Ginny felt her lips twitch as the normally primp and prim Hermione Granger accidentally covered herself with dirt. She hadn’t been exactly thrilled when Hermione had wrote to her about Malfoy, but she knew better than to try to tell the older girl what to do. Since hell year, as she thought of it, one of many things that had withstood had been her best friend’s stubborn streak.

Sitting back and groaning,” He’s not really as bad as all that once you get past the Dennis the Menace aspect of his personality.”

Tilting her head, hand on her hip,” I don’t know what that is but if it means he’s a bratty pest then you’re right on the money.”

Sighing softly,” I’ll talk to him.”

Snorting,” Do you think that’s really going to help?”

Shrugging,” It has so far.”

Ginny plopped down into the grass with a stunned expression, almost completely scandalized,” Wait, wait. Are you telling me that Draco Malfoy, the Slytherin Prince, Slut, Sex God and anything else that the Pavarti twins started...actually listens to you?”

“ Yep.” Glaring,” And he’s not a slut.”

Raising an eyebrow,” That’s not what half the school says.”

“ Then they’re all filthy liars.”

Wiggling her eyebrows,“ And how do we know this, little miss?”

“ Your word to tell noone.”

Rolling her eyes,” May I be turned into a squib and dropped naked into the lake after the first day of classes.”

Nodding and whispering,” His virgin status was only rectified last night.”

Squealing softly and leaning in close,” Details, my best girlfriend!”

Nibbling on her lip, thinking about last night which could only help bring a bright smile to her face,“ Let’s just say that he has now earned his reputation as a sex god.”

Squealing again, only considerably louder,” Hermione, you lucky girl, I’m so happy for you!” Putting a firm hand on her wrist,” Is he treating you right?” A soft smile slowly spreading across her face was all the answer Ginny needed,” Enough said.” And if Draco bloody Malfoy could make Hermione this happy then there was no way she was going to do anything to get in the way.