Relentless - A Dramione FanFic

The Most Natural Thing In The World

Hermione carried the plates into the kitchen and placed them on the counter. She swatted Draco's hand as he tried to dump the piece of salmon remaining on her plate into the rubbish bin. "Don't you dare throw that out!" She admonished, picking at the sticky fish with her fingers and popping a bite into her mouth. "I meant it when I said it was the best thing I've ever eaten, and I'm going to finish it. It just might take me a little while." She proceeded to lick the sauce, first from her index finger, then her thumb, sending shivers down Draco's spine. The shivers rolled on in waves as she pointed a finger in his face and continued, "And don't even think about magicking these dishes clean like you did the other day. We are going to wash them the same way we dirtied them... the muggle way."

Draco smirked. Her eyes widened and jaw clenched as he slowly withdrew the wand from his back pocket and held it tauntingly above her, just out of reach. "We'll see..." He teased, flicking it slightly, causing the dirty pots to clatter against each other.

"You wouldn't." She breathed.

"Oh, I think we both know that I would." The pots flinched once more, and his eyes shone with mischief.

She pursed her lips in mock annoyance. "But you won't."

"And what makes you so sure of that?" He challenged.

His signature swagger faltered as she closed the few paces between them, positioning herself comfortably inside is personal bubble. "Because, Malfoy" she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down, to her eye level. "This time, we're going to do things my way." His eyes burned with desire and she knew she had gotten the best of him. "Plus," she slid her hand down his arm and snatched his wand before he had the chance to realize what she was up to. "I'm pretty sure you won't be doing an magic without this." She flounced back across the kitchen, sliding his wand into her back pocket.

Draco returned to his full height, glowering at her incredulously. "That was a dirty trick, Granger."

"Ah, but one you fell for all too easily." She quipped, her eyes twinkling playfully. "Now, are you ready to do this or not?" She held up a dish towel and motioned for him to join her at the sink. "I'll wash and you dry."

***

Harry and Ginny returned to the cottage as Draco placed the last plate on the shelf above the sink. "Good evening you two." Hermione greeted, exiting the kitchen to embrace Ginny who had left Harry's side and was making a beeline for her.

"Hermione. Draco." Harry acknowledged his house mates before taking a seat on the couch, stretching his arm across the back inviting Ginny to curl up next to him.

Draco and Hermione joined them in the living room, settling into each of the arm chairs.

"We missed you at dinner. I thought we'd agreed to at least have meals together since we're not roomies anymore." Ginny stated casually.

"Oh," Hermione stammered, glancing sideways at Draco. "Right. Well, you see, I got back from the owlery late, so Draco and I ended up just making dinner here tonight."

"Really?..." Ginny turned an inquisitive eye toward Draco. "So what was on the menu?"

Heat rose to Draco's cheeks as Ginny's eyes bored into him, obviously curious about more than just what they'd had for dinner. "We had honey bourbon glazed salmon with cinnamon brown rice and green beans sauteed in bacon." He answered dryly, hoping she didn't notice the color spreading across his face.

"That sounds bloody amazing!" Harry unknowingly, but much to Draco's relief, broke the tension. "Not that I don't appreciate the hard work the house elves put into serving three meals a day in the Great Hall, but the same food year after year has gotten a bit boring. If you're going to make meals like that here in the cottage, I'm gonna eat here from now on."