Veela Love

Chapter Nineteen: Chateau Malfoy

            With their trunks already sent ahead to the chateau in France, Hermione and Draco stepped into the Headmistress' office.

"Oh good, you're both on time. Before you floo home, I would like to say something." Hermione looked at McGonagall expectantly. "All things considered, I am extremely proud of you two for how you're handling an unpleasant situation."

Hermione preened under the praise. "Thank you, Professor."

"And you, Mister Malfoy – I'm glad to see you've grown into the man everyone always knew you could be." Hermione glanced at Draco, who just nodded, his face beet red. "Off you go."

Stepping up to the fireplace, Hermione grabbed Draco's arm tightly, starting to shake. She knew she wasn't going to Malfoy Manor, but she didn't know what to expect.

"It's okay, 'Mione." Draco grabbed a pinch of floo powder and flew it into the fire. Instantly green flames leaped out at them. "Chateau Malfoy!" he cried, dragging Hermione along with him into the light.

Hermione stumbled out of the other side and was only stopped from falling by Draco's arms around her.

"You're here!" Cissa cried, practically running over to wrap first her son, then Hermione in a tight hug, disregarding the residual soot they hadn't had time to remove.

"Mother," Draco smiled down at the woman who was much closer to Hermione's height than his own.

"Cissa," Hermione beamed. She found she had been looking forward to seeing the older woman more than she had thought.

"I'm so happy you're both here! It's been a tad lonely now that Andromeda has left with little Teddy. She's going to miss him when Harry's done with school and takes joint custody."

Hermione was only half-listening, too engrossed in looking around her. The chateau was the exact opposite of Malfoy Manor in all aspects – it was bright and full of light, Cissa's laughter at something Draco said bouncing off the high ceiling.

"This place is magnificent," Hermione said in an awed tone.

"There are no portraits that will yell at you here, either," Draco said. "Thank god. The ones back at Malfoy Manor are damn mean."

"Draco, don't cuss; it's unbecoming, and in front of your girlfriend at that.

Hermione started at the term. She'd never considered what they were, but she wasn't his girlfriend... was she? With that unsettling thought bouncing around her skull, she followed Cissa upstairs and to a pair of large double doors.

"I hope you're comfortable here. If you need anything, please let me know." She kissed Draco's cheek and strode back down the hall.

Curious, Hermione pulled open the doors and gasped. The room behind the doors was sunlit, dressed in pearl and gold. A large king-sized bed took up a large portion of the room, but there was a walk-in closet and a stunning bathroom with a massive tub along with a shower. Draco watched, amused, as Hermione inspected every inch of the room.

"This is amazing!" she cried, falling on top of the mattress. Sitting up, she asked Draco, "Where's your room?"

"You're in it," he smirked.

"But... oh god!" Hermione turned scarlet. "You're mother cant expect us to sleep together!"

Draco strolled into the room and pointed to both their trunks sitting in the back of the closet. "She does indeed."

Panic started rising in Hermione. Draco wasn't even allowed to sleep in their bedroom at the school; he'd been on the couch all semester. He didn't even complain that much about it.

Draco put a gentle hand on her arm. "I'll let Mother know of her mistake. It's not an issue we have enough rooms. You can stay here since you like it so much."

"No," Hermione's hand shot out and grabbed his arm.

Cocking an eyebrow, Draco asked, "No?"

"No," she affirmed, shaking her head. "It's okay. We can share." Hermione couldn't think of a better time to start sharing a bed; they were bound to eventually, at least now it was on her terms.

Draco's mouth fell open slightly. Hermione reached over and shut it for him. "You sure?" he choked out.

Hermione didn't hesitate. She nodded. "I trust you not to do anything unless I ask."

Draco stared at her for a moment before scooping her up and spinning her around the room. Hermione was still giggling when he set her down.

Staring down at her intently, Draco started, "About what Mother said..." he trailed off, and Hermione could feel his apprehension.

"What?

"About you being my girlfriend. She just assumes because we're together that we're 'together.' You know? I'm sorry if she made you uncomfortable."

Hermione didn't even bother denying it, knowing that he would have felt hr surprise. "It's alright," she began slowly. "I guess I never thought of what we were since we were both thrown into this so suddenly."

"And now?"

Hermione bit her bottom lip. Did she dare say it out loud?

Draco reached up and grabbed her mouth, gently pulling her lip out of her teeth's grip. "You have no idea what that does to me," he said huskily.

Hermione stared into his silver eyes and blurted out, "I can be your girlfriend."

Dropping his hand as if her skin burned him, Draco asked, "What?"

With more confidence, Hermione said, "I can be your girlfriend. If you want."

Draco stared at her for a heartbeat before he closed the distance between them and crushed his lips to hers. Hermione felt her heart stop – her brain was flooded with the pleasure and possessiveness he was feeling. It was like a drug that pulled her down along with it.

When they finally broke apart, both were panting. "I take it you want to be dating?" she asked cheekily.

"You have no idea," he growled.

In all seriousness, Hermione said, "It honestly never occurred to me since we're already together."

"It matters to me," Draco said simply, wrapping her in his arms. She pulled back and looked up at him.

"Who knew you were a sap."

He grinned down at her. "Only for you, darling. Only for you."