One Stormy Night

Title: One Stormy Night
Author: mistress meo
Summary: Draco and Hermione share a stormy experience.
Rating: R
Pairing(s): Draco/Hermione
Feedback: yes please!

Disclaimer: JK Rowling is the keeper of all that is Harry Potter and is a goddess of the written word. This disclaimer applies for all future chapters, if there are any. I do not profit from this story. It is just for my own amusement. I own nothing, damn it all to hell.

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A/N: This is a one shot...hence the word 'One' in the title. Please don't ask me to write more. I really don't have it in me for this one and I know I owe you all updates on my other fics. I started this a few months ago when NY had like 8 days of non-stop rain. This one went in a different direction as I fine-tuned it. It's a little more angsty, which I don't really do, but thought I'd give it a whirl. Draco is pretty OOC towards the end. But whatever, it's hard to have decent angst with Hermione and Draco IN context. Anyway, as always, let me know your thoughts.

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One Stormy Night

The wind howled as the lightening and thunder crashed. It had been raining heavily for almost a week now and there was going to be at least a few more days of this dreary weather.

It had been raining so much that Quidditch was actually cancelled...yes cancelled, though not without protest.

"Quidditch doesn't get cancelled!" all four house team captains complained.

"I know this is upsetting," Dumbledore said, "but at a time like this we must. The danger is too great. Due to the celestial alignment, this storm is due to last for at least a three more days. If we were to attempt a match, I'm afraid you'd all drown before the first point was scored. I am sorry, the matches will be made up once the weather breaks."

With slumped shoulders each captain along with their teammates returned to their respective common rooms.

Though not having any Quidditch was disappointing, there was an up-side; Astronomy, Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures classes were cancelled and were now considered free periods. Some spent that free time playing chess or exploding snap, or well, snogging with their current significant other. But some diligent students however, took that time to get ahead on their studies. Okay, so just one student was getting ahead. While Harry and Ron were in the common room goofing off with the rest of the Gryffindors, Hermione was sitting in the solitary Great Hall drinking a cup of tea and working on her homework for Ancient Runes.

Hermione loved a good storm and she couldn't think of a better location to be fully surrounded by one without actually getting wet. The Astronomy tower would be lovely, with its 365-degree window and dome, the views would be fantastic. Unfortunately, it was currently declared off limits due to the storm. The lightening flashed and the thunder roared. Only a few torches were lit in the hall and the ceiling, true to form, reflected the brilliant storm that was raging outside. Yes, on a night like this, the Great Hall was so much better to study in than the library.

She put down her quill and got up to stretch. She had just finished translating a difficult cast and needed a break. Hermione only had three more problems to go and then she'd be finished with next week's assignment. Taking her teacup, she walked to the darkened window behind her. On a clear day that window gave a perfect view of the lake. But tonight when she looked out the window, there was blackness as far as the eye could see.

It was about 8:00 in the evening. Normally she'd be in her Astronomy lab, and for a moment she worried about all the catch up work she would need to do. But then there was another flash of lightening followed by a loud clap of thunder and her worries faded into the blackness of the storm. This was so much better than charting the stars in some lab. Though she did heartfully wish that the Astronomy Tower wasn't off limits during the storm. She would love to just go up there, sit in the middle of the room and drink in the full power of the storm as the rain pounded against the glass that surrounded her. Lightening flashed again and just for that brief moment she caught a glimpse of the lake. Then it was gone, winked out of existence and enveloped by the darkness once more. Her runes on the table rattled as the thunder boomed. She felt the vibration throughout her body, from the tips of her fingers all the way down to her toes. Hermione absolutely loved it when Mother Nature let loose like this. She couldn't help but wish that one day she could be as powerful and unpredictable as an autumn storm.

She sighed wistfully and finished her tea. 'Watching the storm isn't going to get my assignment done,' she thought turning from the window and heading back to the table. Hermione jumped in surprise, but not because of another loud clap of thunder. She had an unexpected guest. The blond boy was leaning casually against her table with his hands in his pockets. He was watching her watch the storm. For an instant his face was as pale as could be when the lightening flashed and then just as quickly as it appeared, the light wash was gone and he was slightly silhouetted in the torch lit hall.

"Lord, Malfoy. You scared me half to death," she scolded as she put a hand over her rapidly beating heart.

"Just half? Damn me for not being thorough," he drawled.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough," he replied.

She sighed, clearly annoyed and crossed her arms over her chest waiting for an answer.

Malfoy huffed. "Fine. Since you walked to the window, okay? Happy now?"

"Why were you watching me?"

"I was surprised, Granger. I thought I was the only one who liked a good thunder and lightening storm. Didn't expect anyone to be down here - especially you," he answered.

"The Astronomy tower is closed..." she began to explain.

"Yes. It's unfortunate that Dumbledore has Peeves guarding it. He's too much of a nuisance to deal with, so I came down here." Malfoy hopped up on the table away from her books, leaned back and looked up. He didn't say another word, just sat peacefully and gazed at the storm above him.

Hermione left her spot by the window and returned to her work.

After a few minutes, Malfoy interrupted her translation of one particularly difficult cast.

"What are you doing?" he asked his head towards her. "You're missing this brilliant storm in favor of runes?"

"Haven't you heard?" she said without looking up, "Dumbledore said we're in for at least two or three more days of this weather."

"But you're missing this one," he stressed. "Then again, I'd expect nothing less from you."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Leave it to the bookworm to want to get all cosey with her books then watch a powerful storm like this."

"I'm not all cosey..."

"If you would stop and think for a moment, you'd realize that magic powers are heightened during storms like this."

"Dark magic..."

He turned his attention back to the storm above him. "Yes, but other magic as well."

"How do you know?" she asked suspiciously.

Malfoy hopped off the table, walked to the window and and took a deep breath before answering. "I just know. Let's leave it at that, shall we?" He stared out into the blackness watching the rain hammer at the window.

'I suppose that's the end of that conversation,' she thought tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. She shrugged and dug back into her work. She was analyzing the second rune when Malfoy came up behind her.

"Granger," he spoke her name casually.

He had scared her again. So much so that she dribbled ink all over her parchment. "Geez Malfoy, are you trying to give me a heart attack?" she said sarcastically as she tried to blot up the little puddles of ink. "You know what? Being close to the storm isn't worth it if you're going to bother me every five minutes...I'm going to the library." She stood up and began to collect her things.

"Stop it, Granger."

"Stop what, Malfoy?"

"Well I was going to show you something interesting, but forget it now," he said in a sarcastic and, in what could be considered to some as, a hurt tone of voice. He turned away from her and went back to the window, this time, crossing his arms over his chest.

Hermione bit her lip in vexation. Finally she hesitantly asked, "What do you want to show me?"

Malfoy couldn't help but smirk as he turned back to her. "A loaded question if I ever heard one." Hermione rolled her eyes. "Which I will let go...for now. Grab your wand and come here," he said as he walked towards the edge of the table.

"What is this Malfoy?

He lay down and stared at the storm raging in the ceiling above them.

"I'm not sure I really want to lie next..."

"Courage little Gryffindor...you have your wand." She reluctantly met him at the edge of the table. "Sit down and lie back." Hermione hesitantly did as he instructed, though she was mindful to keep as much space between them as she could.

She turned her face towards his. "Now what?"

"Keep your wand in hand and look at the storm," he said without sparing a glance her way. "Concentrate on it. Let the power in."

Hermione looked at the ceiling. She never thought to let a storm wash over her like this. She'd be a simpleton not to see or feel what Malfoy had been talking about; all that power. She concentrated harder. Each clap of thunder resonated through her body. The walls around her seemed to crumble away, the room and the very table she shared with Malfoy seemed to fall into an abyss. She was in the storm. It was hypnotizing. Every cell in her body strummed to its rhythm.

Within a few moments Malfoy knew she was lost in the storm, just like he was when it was his first time. 'She fell into it so easily,' he thought. 'She's clearly a lot more powerful than I gave her credit for.' He watched her for a few more minutes and then found his own storm. Malfoy let the power in. He loved this part. It filled every part of him. It was in the storm that he felt like he was his own being, not something his father had molded in his own image. It sensitized every part of him and gave him such a natural high. He never thought he'd attempt something like this with Granger, but when he saw her at the window watching the storm so intently, he somehow felt compelled to show her.

He only allowed himself a short time connecting with its energy. Since this was her first journey, he'd need to coax her back and he knew all too well that she wouldn't want to break the connection willingly.

After about a half hour, Malfoy came back. He looked at the witch next to him and something unexpected happened. The sight of her sucking in all that power got to him. The feeling was so strong coming off her that the sight was actually arousing. That, coupled with his own power-pull created a deep need within him. He took a cleansing breath and cleared his throat. "Granger. You need to come back now."

"Don't want to," she said softly while still staring at the ceiling.

"They'll be another storm tomorrow," he said leaning up and turning towards her.

"I love this...how did you learn to do this?"

He ignored her question, "Granger...look away from the storm. That's enough," he said sharply. He held the tip of his wand to her heart. She blinked lazily up at him, practially ignoring the threat of his wand. She was still caught somewhere deep in the storm.

He pushed his wand a little harder into the soft flesh of her breast trying to get her attention. She let a soft moan escape her lips and Malfoy let some of the pressure off his wand tip, though he did not remove it. He hadn't meant to hurt her, but she needed to come back. When he looked into her eyes again, they were still glassy and distant, but at least he had gotten her to be drawn further away from the storm.

Hermione turned towards Malfoy. He had an odd look on his face. But her brain was still half concentrating on the storm above her and she couldn't clearly understand what she saw in him. She had this odd feeling that it was concern shining in his gray eyes.

She tried to put into words what she was feeling. "All that power..." she began softly.

"I know."

"...all consuming..."

"Yes."

"...it's a whole other level."

Malfoy moved his body closer to hers. He was trying to get a better look at her eyes. She went under so quickly it would be at least an hour before she fully came back. He hadn't seen this immediate power connection since...he first went under a year ago.

The tip of Malfoy's wand was still pointed at her heart. She held his gaze as one petite hand unconsciously reached up and began to toy with the tip of his wand before proceeding to slowly run her hand up its cool wooden shaft. "I can still feel it in me," she said looking at him with hooded eyes. "The power, the violence, the energy...it's unpredictable." He couldn't pull his gaze away from her hooded chocolate eyes. She was penetrating his very soul just by looking at him. Something was stirring low in his gut. This muggle-born witch beside him was making him feel things, things unheard of by a Malfoy. And he liked it, lord help him, he liked what she was doing to him. All with just a look...a power-filled look.

Magic seemed to pulse off each of them, mingling and colliding within the space between them. Malfoy inched even closer, his body tingling with total awareness. When Hermione's hand reached his, a spark of electricity coursed through them both and he instantly dropped his wand. She linked her hand with his and she let out a small gasp at the instant energy jolt. Malfoy let out a soft growl while hooking one leg over hers sliding her closer to him. But just one hand connecting them wasn't enough. His touch was warm and comforting, and Hermione suddenly wanted to feel that warmth all over her body.

"I can feel it everywhere," she whispered and gently brought his hand to her left breast. He could feel the rapid beating of her heart as it thrummed in time with his. His arousal, now leaning hard against her right thigh, leapt in longing.

"Granger," he whispered back while massaging her slowly through her button down shirt.

"Do you want to feel the power of my storm?" she asked seductively while reaching for the back of his neck. Hermione pulled his mouth to hers, but before she could kiss him, he pulled back slightly. She looked at him with shining and confused eyes.

"Oh, Merlin. Yes." He kissed her slow and purposefully that gradually increased in intensity, matching the storm outside. Hermione's own passionate storm of feelings came through the kiss to match his.

Hermione had submitted to him willingly and now found herself swept up in their combined vortex of this magical energy that pulsed between them. He rolled on top of her. They kissed and groped each other until they were both gasping for air. He moved from her mouth to her neck and began nibbling and sucking at her pulse point. Hermione hooked a leg around his thigh and grinded into him while her fingers fisted through his hair. Malfoy growled her name at her aggressiveness. They couldn't get enough of each other.

"Is it always so strong the first time?" she panted.

"Yes," he panted back. "But you'll have more control each time you let the storm in."

"Is everyone's experience the same?" she asked in between sucking his earlobe.

"No. The storm can only enhance the power within you. The stronger the witch or wizard the greater the surge in magical energy." His kisses became more frenzied. Like he was trying to devour every inch of her.

An odd thought suddenly came to her. "Shouldn't you be sharing this storm with Pansy?" she questioned breathlessly. "I thought you and she were..."

The question gave him pause. He stroked the side of her cheek then ran his thumb over her swollen lips and said with all clarity, "Pansy and I are not together. We never were. For all the times I've entered a storm, this is the first time I've ever shared the experience with someone." He looked directly in her eyes and whispered, "you're my first," he said with all clarity.

"Malfoy," she groaned and then kissed him with everything she had. For some reason Malfoy telling her that she was his first in anything, let alone something as personal and powerful as this, made her even hotter. She couldn't get close enough, couldn't kiss him long or hard enough. Finally, not knowing what else to do, she rolled him over so that she was now on top, as if forcing him to stay with her. "Please...I want more," she begged as she writhed on top of him.

He moaned at the contact and his eyes rolled back in his head. He took a cleansing breath then said reluctantly, "I know you do, but you have to take it slow the first few times." He tried to still her gyrating hips. If they weren't careful, they'd end up shagging on the table where he normally ate breakfast. Not that the thought wasn't deliciously wicked. "Look at what a mere half hour has done to you. You have me at a sexual disadvantage Granger. I'm hard and wanting, and there's nothing I want more right now than to take you right here." She finally stopped moving and lay fully on top of him, tucking her head under his chin. She did have him at a disadvantage and she would not provoke him or herself any further. She didn't want to lose her virginity on top of the Slytherin dining table. He wrapped his arms around her, hugging her close. He gave a heavy sigh.

"Malfoy, I..."

"I can't imagine this was in your plans for this evening, was it?"

She smiled against his neck, "was it in yours?"

Malfoy cleared his throat. "It was not my intention...I mean...by showing you this I didn't think your reaction, that is to say, our joint reactions, would be this strong...it was not my plan to get you into this position." He turned his head, struggling to come to terms with what he was trying to say.

Hermione sat up a little and cupped his cheek turning him back to face her. Malfoy leaned into her touch, closing his eyes. After a moment, he looked at her and continued, "you're on a high right now, I don't want you to feel like your being taken advantage..."

"Hush," she interrupted. "I know you didn't plan for this. How could you? You didn't even know I'd be here."

She kissed him softly and gently. Their time together in this way was almost spent. Her head was much clearer now, but she could feel the extra magic leaving her. She wanted to make the few moments they had left, last as long as she could. Once Malfoy came back to his senses he'd most likely be disgusted with himself for snogging a mudblood.

He broke their kiss. "But when you come fully back to reality you'll realize it's the storm that's made you act this way...not me."

"Malfoy...I am fully back, I have been since I before I asked you about Pansy," she said in all seriousness. "The magic didn't make me suddenly want you," her face flushed and she lowered her eyes fully embarrassed, "it obviously only enhanced what I already felt." She looked at him with apprehension in her eyes, "are you back?"

He gave a small smile and said, "since before I put down my wand. I've been doing this for a year, it gets easier to come back with each experience."

"Oh," she mouthed silently. "But then why did you want to...with me? I mean, I'm a..."

"I know what you are. And I guess what I'm saying is, at this particular moment, I don't care." He rolled her back over so that he was on top again. He took her mouth in a searing kiss that seemed to last for hours. In the distance Malfoy could hear the large clock striking the hour. 'What time is it?' he thought. 'Surely past nine. Ten, perhaps?' As he counted the 10th chime, he pulled back from Hermione and looked at her. Really looked at her. What was it about her that he had hated so fiercely? Looking at her lust filled eyes, swollen lips and feeling her eager body beneath him, he hadn't the slightest clue. She looked back at him and he could sense that she was wondering why he had stopped.

He spoke in all seriousness. "I do want you, Granger," he said while gently stroking her cheek.

Her eyes widened in surprise at his statement. She didn't know how to respond. Her body knew, but her mind was currently conflicted. She never thought she'd ever hear those words come out of his mouth. When she didn't respond, he answered for her.

"But I can't have you, can I?"

"No," she answered softly.

"Why not? I know you want me too, I can feel it in the way you return my kisses...in the way you touch me."

"We're in the middle of the dining hall, Malfoy. Not exactly how I pictured my first time," she answered with a small smile.

He pushed himself up and sat on the table straightening his clothing and trying to control his raging hard on. "Well, let me just compose myself and we'll find some place more..."

"No, Malfoy. Wait."

"What?"

She sat up and righted her own clothing. "I'm sorry."

"No. Don't say that...don't say it..." If she didn't say it, they still could...they could be...

"This will never work..."

"Damn it, I told you not to say..."

"...you know deep down that it isn't meant to be," she finished.

"I don't think I know anything right now."

"Try and think, Malfoy," she said with a sigh. "But I know you must be as conflicted as I. My body is telling me one thing while my mind is cautioning. In an hour or two, but surely by tomorrow, you'll be thoroughly disgusted with yourself to have allowed me, your supposed enemy, to have sexually attracted you - even if it was for just an hour. You'll regret it all. If we take it further, it'll be disastrous - at least for me. I know what I am to you, Malfoy. And it's not someone you care about."

He sat in silence. He could think of nothing to say. She was right about it all. She sucked him in and though he went willingly for the past hour - he knew - in that dark corner of his brain, he would never truly have her. 'But damn it, why not?,' he tought. When they were together on the table, they felt so right together.

"Do you really think us being together would go over splendidly with our friends? As much as we may want it now, tomorrow it'll back to the same old routine - you hate me and I...hate you. And if we were to...you know, I don't think I could handle tomorrow's consequences."

"You don't know that...not for sure, tomorrow could be...different." His head was in his hands, he was trying desperately to come up with something that would change her mind.

"You're right, it could. Do you plan on asking me to join you with the rest of the Slytherins for breakfast? To study in the library together? Will you put aside your differences and be friends with Harry and Ron?"

He looked at her sharply at that last question and she knew, it was not to be.

"This will never work out. We're too different. There's too much history." She got up and started to collect her things.

"Granger..." he got off the table and came to stand behind her.

"I see no possible way, I'm sorry Draco." He sucked in a hard breath as she turned to walk away.

He caught her arm and turned her back to him. Hermione looked at him, questioning.
Cupping her face with both hands, he pulled her in for one long breathtaking kiss then reluctantly let her go.

They turned from each other - she walked toward the large oak doors, he walked back to the rain-streaked window. She stopped when she heard him say, "the storm's energy is a powerful thing." She looked over her shoulder at him and he, in turn, did the same. "If you're not careful it will consume you. Remember that, if you plan on going back..." She nodded and exited the Great Hall. He leaned his forehead against the cold, dark window and said softly, "...alone."

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Well? What do you think?