Hi friends! Thanks for your kind comments and encouragement! I would love to hear what you want to happen after this chapter - so many ways for this relationship to head...I, of course, have my own ideas of what I'm wanting to happen, but let me hear from you!

**I do not own anything Harry Potter**

Chapter 11

She tried to, as inconspicuously as possible, dart her eyes towards the other side of the couch. His reaction was crucial here, and she'd been dreading the moment for the 48 hours preceding it. Martin Freeman and Joanna Page were obviously stand-ins for a porn film, and she could feel the blush rising quickly.

But before she could laugh nervously to hide the shaky feeling in her stomach, he belted out a laugh, incredulous and happy. She watched as he covered his mouth, clearly still smiling but afraid to miss a word of the adorable exchange. As the screen panned to a new story, he reached for the pause button.

"Didn't see that coming, Granger. Didn't peg you as a…" He smiled, then his eyes darted down. "Well, I guess you know what I mean."

"Don't actually know. Care to elaborate?" She loved this jokey, flirty, goofy repertoire their relationship had taken on, and she knew Love Actually was the perfect movie for them. Tragedy, beauty, hope, and some incredible lines made it one of the best of all time. And they had somehow gotten through the awkward unscathed – although Malfoy was looking a bit chastened. No need for that! She rose to grab the wine he had thoughtfully brought with him, refilling both of their glasses before she got comfortable again under the blankets.

He had come over earlier in the evening under the pretense that he was about to pick up Nando's and was she interested in him bringing dinner to her place? She hated to admit that she hesitated – bringing him to her home was a whole new level of friendship, of vulnerability, that couldn't be boxed back up once it was unpacked. But she had already had a couple glasses of wine, chicken sounded incredibly delicious, and she wanted to see what he looked like today. It was all she thought about these days.

So she said yes and suggested a movie, too – he needed to see the moment Andrew Lincoln zipped his jumper within an inch of its life. It delighted her every time. And Hugh Grant's amazing dance, and Colin Firth's jump into the pond with the eels…it was such a good collection of stories. And now that they had eaten and talked and started the movie, she could relax a little.

As she started back up the movie, she swung her legs into the open space between them, leaning her back against the arm of the couch. He looked at her, smiled, then reached slightly under the blankets. She looked at him, surprised, but he was already watching her face.

"Okay if I rub your feet while we watch? I'm aiming for an 8.9 tonight."

God, she was going to self-combust if they kept up all this innuendo. It was so hot for so much to still feel forbidden.

Not trusting her voice, she nodded quickly and turned her head to watch the movie. But her mind was still completely focused on his hands on her feet and ankles. Strong and sure movements, just like at work. Intuitively digging his knuckles into her sensitive arches, careful not to tickle. It was incredible.

After a few minutes, without even thinking about it, she closed her eyes and leaned her head back on the couch arm. She could hear her breath, deep and measured. She could tell he was watching her, and she felt strangely unencumbered. Let him watch her enjoy the pleasure he was giving her. It was like she was floating above herself, watching the scene play out.

She felt his hands drift to her calves, waiting, questioningly, until she merely nodded her head. First her left, then her right, he stretched her muscles almost to the point of pain, then released the tension in the next second. He never seemed to tire.

After 20 minutes of the most thorough foot and leg massage she'd ever been treated to, Malfoy slid his body under her legs and the blankets. She could feel the muscles in his legs under her knees. He was so close to her, so much of him touching her.

"I'm a little chilly. Okay if I share your blanket?"

His eyes were steel grey, with a warmth that belied the metal. He seemed to be waiting for her to do something, anything.

So she did. Hermione Granger leaned in until her breath mingled with his, looked into his eyes, and kissed him.