A/N: Hi everyone, hugs to all my new followers. I hate to keep you all waiting but I'm going to keep updating as soon as the chapter is ready. I can't make any promises with my current work schedule. This chapter is the storm and the calm. 'Zhìbèi' means preparation in Chinese or so says Google Translate. If it's wrong please tell Google.
I'm really curious about your thoughts on this chapter so I'd really love to see some reviews. I'll post the next chapter once we cross 35 reviews...that's not a lot to ask is it? If I get 50 reviews, I'll post something special. This I can promise.
Enjoy!
Love Esa-chan.
製備(Zhìbèi)
The week preceding the Halloween Ball was filled with excitement, peppered by nervousness as Katie continued to be in the hospital wing and wasn't allowed any visitors. Either Fred or George could be seen supervising the delivery of various large boxes. Ron had tried to inquire about them but had been promptly told he would have to wait like the rest of the school, Ron had stalked off in a huff muttering under his breath.
Friday morning, the eve of the ball, found Fred sitting at the Gryffindor table. Everyone gave him a hearty welcome, Fred and George were beloved by all especially after their dramatic exit the previous year. They'd even earned the respect of the Slytherins, who had reluctantly always thought that the Weasley twins were pretty cool.
Hermione took her usual seat which just so happened to be beside Fred. She smiled and greeted him, however his response was a little lackluster, so she turned to take a closer look at him. Things rarely got to the twins.
"What's wrong Fred?" Hermione asked in hushed tones. Fred looked at her in surprise and flashed her a winning grin but Hermione wasn't easily dissuaded. She crossed her arms and stared him down, oddly reminding him of his mother. "Katie's still in the hospital wing. She was going to be my date for tomorrow." "You're bummed out that you don't have a date?" Hermione clarified suppressing her laugh. "Yes. George is going with Angelica. It's not going to be fun to be on my own."
"Just ask someone else to the ball then, Parvati's always fancied you." Hermione offered trying to comfort him. "She's going with Zach" Fred replied glumly "Anyone else?"
"What are you two discussing?" Ginny piped up. "Fred's dateless condition on account of Katie being stuck in hospital." Hermione filled her in. "Wow, was it really that bad?" Ginny was astounded. "Not really, she just got the tiniest taste of the curse, but they want to be certain that she's completely recovered before they let her go." Fred informed them. "Damn, she's going to miss the ball. I'm sure she was looking forward to it." Ginny lamented. They sat quietly for a while as Hermione chewed on her pancakes when Ginny smiled at them. Hermione stopped eating and focused her attention on Ginny, she knew that smile and knew that it meant trouble. "Why don't you take Hermione to the ball, Fred? What do you say Hermione? Apart from that thing you need to do, you don't have a date yet, do you?" Ginny rattled off looking excitedly between Fred and Hermione.
"Are you trying to set us up baby sister?" Fred joked. "No, I happen to care too much about Hermione to hand her over to you. But I think you can manage to keep her...umm...safely... entertained for one evening." Ginny said coolly.
"What do you think Hermione? Fancy going to the ball with me?" Fred asked with a grin. Hermione smiled back "Of course." "That's settled then, we're all meeting in the common room at 7.45." Ginny informed Fred.
"I'll have to meet you here as we will be needed to put the finishing touches to the hall before the doors open." Fred replied sheepishly. "That's fine with me." Hermione said before Ginny could protest.
The teachers had eventually given up trying to get the students to do any classwork as everyone was far too excited about the upcoming ball to study. Hermione was actually feeling quite stressed but everyone seemed to read it as nervous excitement and she didn't bother to deny it. She had been observing her blonde-headed trouble-maker over the past week, he looked disturbed. She wasn't one to go back on her word regardless of how impulsive the decision had been. Perhaps, she would live to regret keeping her word but she was certain that if she didn't do something she would definitely regret it.
She had learnt from Harry that sometimes the logical answer may not be the right one, even if the evidence points to the contrary, your heart can still lead you the right way. And she could confidently ascertain that she had made this decision with her heart, because logic told her that it was stupid to trust someone who had been against her very existence since day one. Besides, she couldn't rid herself of the guilt that she was feeling for keeping things from Harry and Ginny. She didn't want to alienate them, especially since things between Ron and her were tense again, but even if Hermione hadn't harboured any feelings towards him, Lavender would continue to be insecure. Ron had been ignoring Hermione so he could regain favour with Lavender. Somehow these things didn't bother her as much as they did in the past. It was an odd relief to realize that she wasn't affected as easily by Ron and Lavender's behaviour. Yet watching Daphne drape herself all over Draco was beginning to annoy her though she had mastered enough self-control not to display her annoyance.
It was Draco's business who he allowed in his personal space and Hermione was no longer under any illusions about the practical exchange of their relationship. There were two key lessons she had to learn from Draco, the first was to not be transparent about her emotions and the second, was learning what to do when she got Ron back with Malfoy's assistance. She had been diligently working on the first, a lot of which she had acquired by observing her partner in crime. She had noticed his smug behaviour since their first year but now she was more aware of his body language and facial expressions, whether in class, or at practice, or at mealtimes. When she compared it to the Malfoy of her previous years, she could see the cracks in his seemingly perfect façade. She knew him much better than she had initially realized or would have ever thought possible. He had clearly been taught never to show fear, yet whenever he felt intimidated he would lower his head just a fraction and blink twice before fixing them with a glare, rather than the usual haughty look. It was an attempt to appear fierce and it fooled almost everyone but she could see through it.
The conversation in the Great Hall during dinner was unsurprisingly centered around the Halloween Ball, whether it was about what they planned to wear or who they were going with, or simply what kind of surprises they were expecting at the feast. Parvati looked genuinely saddened by the news that Hermione hadn't bought a new gown for the occasion.
"But Hermione you looked beautiful at the Yule Ball. I was hoping to see you dressed up again. Should I check with my sister if anyone has something nice that you could borrow?"
"Thanks for the offer." Hermione smiled, touched by the girl's concern for her. "I'm going to be fine. Don't worry about me, Parvati."
"Then let me do your hair and makeup, I'll do such a fantastic job you could wear sack cloth and no one would notice." Parvati insisted.
"Umm... Ginny was supposed to help me with it." Hermione answered not wanting to offend Parvati but knowing how possessive Ginny could be, it was better to warn the girl.
"Ginny!" Parvati called across the table, "Mind if I help you with Hermione's hair and makeup for the Ball?" Ginny looked a bit surprised by the request and looked at Hermione who was feeling put on the spot.
"Sure, so long as you'll do as I ask. I'm open to suggestions but I know her hair better than most, so trust me when I say that won't work. Deal?" Ginny smiled. Parvati nodded her confirmation.
"You don't have to do it, if it's too much trouble." Hermione told Parvati when she saw Lavender glare at them.
"Nonsense. Consider this my way of repaying you for all your help on my owls. I wouldn't have made it through Potions or Transfiguration without you." Parvati said in a tone of finality. Hermione decided not to object any further, if this upset Lavender then so be it. She was getting sick of Lavender being territorial about people who were her friends too.
Hermione had decided to go the library to return a few books as it would be closed the next day due to preparations for the ball. As she ambled along the deserted corridors, Hermione allowed her feet to carry her along the familiar route. She stopped abruptly when she heard the sound of voices up ahead. She recognized them but couldn't decipher the contents of the conversation, extendable ears would have been very handy but she didn't have one on her. The sound of footsteps in her direction had Hermione scrambling into the nearest classroom and watching carefully through a crack in the door. Snape was best avoided at the best of times.
Draco didn't know if it was another test setup by Voldemort, after all Snape was one of his trusted servants. He had spied for Voldemort and had kept an eye on Dumbledore, even when the wizarding world believed that The Dark Lord had been vanquished. He was really hoping that Hermione would agree to help him, yet he was petrified if someone discovered her involvement. He knew that the others wouldn't need an excuse to torture her. He shuddered as he walked towards his dorm, recalling his horrible vision from when he'd consumed the poison from Hermione. He'd vowed to himself that he would die rather than torture her.
Hermione saw him shiver as he passed by the classroom. She stretched out her arm and grabbed at the back of his robes dragging him into the room. Draco stumbled backwards into her as she shut the door, missing his nose by a mere centimetre and landed on top of her in a heap. Unaware of who his assailant was Draco struggled to pin them down, eventually succeeding in holding both wrists in one hand while the other reached for his wand. He locked the door and added a silencing charm along with a few others to ensure no one would disturb him during his interrogation.
He used Lumos and was surprised to see Hermione. Her hair was tousled from their struggle but she looked relatively unharmed, unless you counted the bruises quickly forming on wrists.
"Granger? What are you doing?" Draco asked. Hermione hadn't expected him to react as he had and couldn't quite explain what she had thought by pulling him into the room.
"Umm... I wanted to ask what Snape and you were talking about." She answered after thinking for a moment. Draco was about to answer when he began to doubt if this was Hermione altogether. Professor Moody had been one of Voldemort's underlings who had infiltrated the school and used polyjuice potion. Hermione's bushy hair wouldn't be too hard to acquire. So instead of answering her he used his wand to bind her hands. He just needed to keep her here for an hour.
"Draco, what is going on? What are you doing?" Hermione asked, aghast at his behaviour.
"I'm not sure why you assaulted me and honestly I don't believe you." Draco explained calmly.
"So, what are going to do with me?" She asked, exasperated that he didn't believe her but more concerned about the dangerous gleam in his eyes.
"Practice." Draco grinned mischievously, his eyes scanning her form. Hermione's eyes widened at his insinuation and started to lick her lips nervously.
"Do you know how to give a blow job?" Draco teased her.
"Not with my hands tied up." Hermione threw back, not sure what he planned on doing to her. It would probably be quite hilarious if she had been a Death Eater in disguise to be subjected to sexual harassment. But since she wasn't this would just be sexual harassment.
"This is harassment Malfoy. You can't subject me to your twisted fantasies." Hermione retorted. "My darling Granger, you are currently in no position to make any demands. I'm perfectly capable of fulfilling my wildest fantasies and leaving you none the wiser about it." Draco replied smoothly winking at her.
Draco knew that if he was being tested by Voldemort, then he would only be satisfied if Draco raped Hermione until she begged for death. He wasn't sure which of the Death Eaters would willingly volunteer for such a task but if he had found someone, well Draco couldn't show any signs of weakness. But, if this was Hermione, his Hermione, she would never forgive him for violating her, regardless of his suspicions. Hell, he'd never be able to forgive himself. He just needed to occupy them for an hour at most, he concluded. If it was a Death Eater they'd return to their original form and if it was Hermione he could explain himself, hopefully.
Hermione was stunned by his response. She wasn't sure what would happen, perhaps she'd wake up in her bed with no memory of what had happened to her. Perhaps she'd find herself in the hospital wing, again, and maybe this time the nightmares would be real.
"Let's play a game." Draco said as he joined her on the floor. "It's called 'Stop/Start'. The rules are very simple; each round is 10 minutes, you get 5 and I get 5. On your turn you can choose the apparatus, right now we have hands and mouth. I'll start and you tell me where you want me to stop. Ready? You just have to play 5 rounds with me, don't think it's me and just enjoy yourself." He laughed wickedly.
"So, hands or mouth, or both? We can change it in each round if we like." Draco informed her casually. Hermione just glared at him. "If you don't pick I will. You have until the count of 5. 1...2...3...4..." Draco threatened her. Hermione didn't like to be threatened and it often made her act recklessly. "Both." She answered with a smirk, parting her legs that had been crossed at the ankle so far. Draco was taken aback by her bravado but didn't show it. He nestled himself between her thighs and looked her in the eyes as he grabbed her head and kissed her almost violently. Hermione could feel the fire on his lips as he pried open her mouth while his hands began ripping off her uniform. His right hand was on her left breast as he pulled off her school sweater. "Stop!" Hermione shrieked as she gasped for air.
Draco smiled wickedly before continuing to fondle her left breast with his hand, bringing his mouth over the little pebble that showed through her thin school shirt. Who would have thought that studious bookworms liked lace lingerie? Hermione couldn't help the surprised moan that tore itself from her lips. "Draco, you said you'd stop." She struggled, confused by her own arousal.
"You weren't paying attention. You tell me where to stop and I will give that place special attention. You need to do the same when I ask you to stop, so keep that in mind. You have another minute to go." Draco explained it as if it was obvious.
"Start?" Hermione said tentatively just so that she understood the way the instructions worked. Draco promptly left her breast alone and proceeded to undo her shirt.
Hermione looked down at herself wondering if she could last 5 rounds of this game. She wasn't going to be beaten by a stupid sex game. It was simple enough if she simply gave into her instinct and she could safely fulfil her own fantasies without repercussion. She smiled as she raised her bound wrists to him asking Draco, "Hands, mouth or both?"
"Both." He answered noticing her shift in demeanour. She caught his tie pulling him towards her and kissing him as fiercely as he had kissed her. She undid his tie and robes swiftly for someone whose hands were tied. She didn't let go of his lips for a single moment as she undid his shirt and she had just unbuttoned his trousers when Draco pushed her away saying his turn was done.
"Start." Hermione commanded confidently undoing her own skirt and letting it fall to her ankles as she stood up. Draco looked at his pocket watch that lay on the floor besides him. Another 20 mins and he could be fairly certain if this was Hermione. But what in Merlin's name was going through her head. Did she want him to fuck her? Or was she taunting him? Was this truly a test by Voldemort?
He chose to ignore her suggestive move and wrapped his arms around her waist as he continued to kiss her. He proceeded to kiss her into his own turn, after about 20 minutes of making out, Draco took a step back and stared at Hermione's flushed face and swollen lips. She looked pissed mad and Draco knew his suspicions were false. "Get dressed and leave." he instructed her, as he undid the bonds on her wrists before unlocking the door.
"Don't I deserve some explanation as to why I was just sexually assaulted?" Hermione gritted out, itching to hit the blonde with a few choice hexes. "It's really late right now. I promise I'll explain it to you tomorrow, once I have your answer." Draco smiled apologetically as he buttoned up his shirt. Hermione checked that she'd dressed correctly before walking over to him.
"Draco...", she said softly. He looked at her, confused by the gentleness in her voice as he tucked his tie beneath his collar, he'd expected her to yell or be rude. "Don't ever fuck around with me like this again or you'll never be a father." She caught his tie pulling him closer before giving him a loud ringing slap across the cheek.
"Good night love." She blew him a kiss as she left the room.
Hermione couldn't believe the gall of the man. How could he kiss and touch her so intimately in the name of a game? It was surely a violation of her body yet she felt less violated and more frustrated by his ministrations. That boy had a delightful mouth and the warmth of his hands never failed to surprise her. He'd been far less gentle with her than in the past but it had fuelled her rather than terrifying her. Did she like it rough she wondered? Well understanding her sexual aptitude was part of the deal, wasn't it?
Hermione couldn't sleep. Every time she closed her eyes she could see his half-dressed form. She had almost stripped him down during their little game. She couldn't rid herself of her restlessness and considered taking a sleeping potion. Madame Pomfrey had told her that she should avoid sleeping potions as the everlasting sleep poison may not be out of her system yet.
So she did the next best thing, she decided to play with herself. In her imaginings they kept playing the game and Draco rubbed her in all the right places until she couldn't hold back her orgasm. Hermione finally fell asleep after finding some release.
Draco couldn't sleep either. He had most certainly assaulted Hermione and definitely upset her. This situation was getting more twisted with each move he made. If he had hated his predicament at the start of the year then he positively detested it now, and his dislike for his task was rising like bile in his throat. He had developed insomnia over the last few months and clearly he was getting careless in his desperation, he could now add paranoia to his list of ever growing ailments or was it already on his list? His world was unravelling and he wanted to run away from it all.
He prayed to unseen gods that Hermione would agree to help him despite his transgression and offer him an opportunity to explain himself. He knew divulging everything would put her in danger. He needed to come up with a satisfactory plan that she would find acceptable.
Hermione hid her face in her pillow as soon as she woke up. She had become like every other girl in Hogwarts, she was dreaming of Malfoy. He was in her thoughts; between her thighs with her hands on his shoulders and his hips slamming into hers. If it had just been a crazy hormone induced fantasy she would have dismissed it as growing up pains but her desire for the boy was on the rise much to her own dismay.
It's just the weird events of the previous night, she told herself. Her brain was trying to understand it and cope with the trauma. It was the only logical explanation and she needed to keep her focus if she was to help him without being discovered by friend or foe.
Please R&R!
Love...Esa-chan.