Devil In His Own Way

HERMIONE'S ARRIVAL

Taking off an entire week from work was more manageable to accomplish than Hermione thought it would be. All she'd needed to do was ask Harry, who spoke to her direct supervisor, who told her to take as much time as possible. And she was still going to get paid.

"You work way too hard, Ms. Granger." Gethsemane Prickle, the Head of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, smiled at Hermione warmly over her glasses. "I was beginning to wonder how I was going to force you on vacation."

She'd tried asking Hermione where she was going, and Hermione had made up a lie about visiting family out of the country. There was no way she could tell her boss that she was taking off to live in Draco Malfoy's mansion for a week.

Ginny came over on Thursday morning to help her finish packing. Hermione made sure she grabbed her essentials: toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner. Stuff that she didn't want to assume Malfoy provided his for guests. Ginny made sure that the lingerie made it into the bag.

"You only need lingerie for two of your six nights," Ginny pursed her lip, staring at the Teddy's and babydoll dresses spread across the bed. "I loved the way the periwinkle one looked on you."

"Which one?" Hermione asked, her cheeks warm. Most of what she'd bought was a light shade of purple-blue. Ginny had talked her into a few bolder colors and looks, but she didn't know how she felt about wearing them at the mansion.

"The first one you tried on," Ginny picked up the bodysuit with the rhinestone belt. She did like that one. Hermione approved, and it went in the suitcase.

Hermione joined Ginny, scanning the rest of the lingerie that she'd bought. Something in her told her that only bringing the two sets wouldn't be enough. She supposed she might try to take the opportunity and loosen up a little bit. All in all, Hermione ended up packing: a bra and panty set for each day of the week, two Teddy's, two babydoll slips, and a shimmering black cardigan. She'd made sure to mix up the color scheme, at Ginny's suggestion. To keep things interesting.

"I feel like I'm seeing my daughter off to her first day of school," Ginny fake dabbed at tears as she walked Hermione down the street to an appariton point.

"You'll see me tomorrow, Ginny," Hermione's stomach was in knots. The knowledge that Ginny and Harry would be at the mansion in less than forty-eight hours was the only reason Hermione could even find the strength to go. She wouldn't be alone for too long. And, hopefully, she'd be much more comfortable by the time they left.

She hugged Ginny goodbye and then took a steadying breath. Hermione focused all of her energy on one place: Malfoy Mansion; and one feeling: excitement. The world began to fall away as Hermione felt the familiar tug of a time and space vacuum, yanking her from the center of Wizarding London to the countryside. When the falling stopped, she opened her eyes and came face-to-face with a gentlemanly, wrought iron fence.

Hermione was standing at the edge of a driveway that seemed to stretch on for miles. A massive stone fence surrounded the property, decorated with lovely flora and fauna of every size and color. She approached the gate hesitantly, trying to remember Pansy's instructions.

"Um, hello," she called out, hoping she was doing it right. "I'm Hermione Granger, and—"

Before she could finish speaking, the gates opened up, and a rather handsome wizard in his thirties was walking down the drive toward her. His shoulders were broad, and his dark hair glinted in the sunshine. He looked in every way like a bodyguard for the Minister of Magic. Aurors who always trailed behind the Minister with every move he made, whispering into charmed devices tucked away in various places throughout their robes.