To Brew A Scandal by stars_in_motion

Chapter 20

- NOT MY STORY!! ALL CREDITS TO @stars_in_motion ON A03!!

When Hermione found herself staring at him on their journey back home, she fought from crying at the thought of having been so close to losing him. In another universe far too close to this one for comfort, she would be married to the first available man, possibly even Cormac McLaggen. The reminder made her squeeze his hand tightly in residual fear. For the first time, she thanked Harry's relentless meddling. Had she been less ignorant, stubborn, and foolish, she would have wasted less time on the things of the past and focused on their time together.

If Draco noticed her mental despair, he did not say. But there were moments as they returned home where he would pull her in closer and kiss her softly until all her self-reprimands subsided, and only one thought remained.

When they crossed the tree line back into the gardens, she took his hand and led him back into the manor, walking towards the wing that kept their bedchambers. There would be no more wasted time between them.

"Retiring to your room so early, your grace?" He teased, a hint of confusion in his voice.

"Yes, but not alone."

Not daring to look back until they reached the door to her room, she pulled him through the halls, and he obediently followed. Only when her hand circled around the knob did she look back at him, and he leaned closer into her space, placing his hands on either side of her.

There was desire in the way he looked at her, she was sure of it, but something more as well. She'd seen it in his face before, the night she arrived at his door, intent on showing him just how much she wanted him.

"Where were you going that night?" Hermione asked suddenly, remembering the startled look on his face when he found her standing there. "When you found me at your door?"

"I was going to see you." His hands gripped her hips. "To stand outside your room, and try to gather the courage to knock."

Hermione blinked, his answer catching her off-guard. Each new revelation changed her understanding of him. "How many times?"

The shy smile he wore made her heart race. "More nights than I would care to admit."

"You should have," Hermione whispered. "I would have let you in."

"Go on then," he encouraged softly, nodding towards the room behind her. The softness of his voice was deceiving; the look across his face spelled something wicked. "Invite me in."

She turned the knob behind her, and let him push her by the hips back into the room. It was the same as she left it, books strewn here and there, her class notes, and a spare cauldron by the fire. Her return felt a warm comfort.

"You've done a great deal to improve the space," said Draco, glancing around the room with what looked like longing.

"A few things here and there."

"You know, this was my room before."

Hermione gaped up at him. "You—you gave me your own room?"

He had the gall to look abashed, running an absentminded hand through his hair. "Well, it has more space for books than the other rooms."

What a ridiculous man she married. Having heard enough, she pressed her mouth to his.

He kissed her everywhere, more than he ever had before. There was no rush in the way he undid the laces of her dress, or how he kissed each inch of exposed skin across the nape of her neck. Freeing her from the dress she wore, she was left only in her chemise. He pulled the sleeve to the side, and kissed down her bare shoulders. Each time his lips pressed against her body, the chaste brush sent a thrill through her.