Defending Our Relationship

Disclaimer: These characters belong to J.K.R. I'm just using them and not making money whilst doing so!

I want to thank CocoaChristy for helping me dust this off to make it presentable.

Hermione smiled, though she was nervous. In the morning, Lucius Malfoy would be on the grounds, and she would likely have to meet with him. Draco didn't seem very anxious, and over the past week, they'd snogged and practiced being lovers without actually having sex. It should be easy enough to fool his father, but just having to face the man was something she wasn't exactly prepared for.

"I'm sure I'll be fine," she murmured.

Draco pulled her to him for a tight hug. "You look pale." He kissed her forehead. "I'll try to talk to him alone first. Only then will I ask him if he needs proof." He smiled reassuringly. "Unless it's tonight that has you turning pale?" he questioned, cool eyes glinting in the dim light of the common room.

Grinning, Hermione shook her head. They'd decided that she would invite him up to her room while students were still in the common room to witness. Those noticing would naturally think that they were spending the night together, shagging, and doing what lovers do. Unfortunately, he truly would have to stay with her until morning... sharing her bed. She trusted him, but it was still odd for her. With each day that she spent with him, she felt him slipping further into her heart. What will I do with myself once he's gone?

"Good," he said casually. "I think that will drive off any doubts from those still disbelieving that we are in love. Er... you know, pretending to be. Not that we are." He chuckled nervously. "I mean to say..."

"Don't speak," Hermione said, resting her head against his shoulder.

"Get a room," Blaise said, causing Goyle to guffaw. "Unless you'll be putting on a show for us."

Draco simply laughed at his friend, but Hermione, however, scowled at the other boy, causing his smirk to fade. In an indignant voice, Hermione said, "Draco, I've had enough of the common room for now. Would you like to come up?"

"For the night?" he asked mischievously, making her want to kick him.

"Yes," she bit out, cheeks heating. She could feel several pairs of eyes on her, but she dared not look around. Thankfully, Ron wasn't about, or she'd feel guilty about her actions, not wanting to hurt him.

Taking her by the hand and wriggling his eyebrows at his friends, Draco guided her up the stairs that led to her room. With each step they took, her heart pounded more quickly. Once they reached her door, he said, "Hermione, you've nothing to worry about." He released her hand and brushed some hair away from her face. "Don't tremble. I won't take advantage of this... though I would want to."

Hermione swallowed apprehensively. "It's not that I don't trust you. I just don't really trust myself." When she grinned, she added, "I want to wait until I'm married to make love for the first time. It's something I've talked about with my mum already." She looked away. "But sometimes, I feel like I just want to shag you senseless."

"Not many people wait until marriage these days. That's a bit old fashioned."

"Yes, I know, but you don't have to worry about getting used and having a broken heart either," she said, opening the door and pulling him in. "No need to stand out here all night."

"Hermione, some marriages aren't forever either," Draco pointed out. "How do you know if you'll want to live your long life with a bloke if you truly haven't taken the time to know all of him before you marry him? What if he's... lacking?"

"Sorry?" Hermione asked, brow wrinkled in confusion. "Oh... oh!" She shrugged. "Size doesn't matter."

"Uh-huh. Tell any girl from Slytherin House that, and see what they have to say on it," he said, pulling off his robes. "I hope you don't mind."

"No, go ahead," she said, turning away to pull off her own. "So... Speaking of size..."

"You want to know how I measure up?" he asked, snickering.

"I didn't say that. You seem to be comfortable with the conversation. I sense that perhaps you," she pulled her shirt over her head, "feel that you're not lacking."

Suddenly, his hands were at her waist, and his mouth was near her ear. "If you'd like to find out, you need only reach out."

Hermione wrenched away from him and turned to face him. "Scamp! You've not been in here for two minutes, and you're already trying to... to do something!"

Draco laughed loudly. "Calm down." It was then that she noticed he was clad in his underpants only. Her eyes widened slightly. "I didn't bring any other clothes."

"It's all right," she said, suddenly conscious that she wore only an undershirt and skirt. She moved to her wardrobe. "I'm going to go to the loo quickly and change into my nightclothes.

"All right," he said, plopping down onto her bed.

Once alone, she rested against the door. How will I be able to get through this night? She only told him that she wanted to wait for marriage to keep him from trying to have sex with her. Would it be so bad to have a bit of fun? No, she told herself firmly. To give my body to him would be dangerous. I can't allow myself to get closer to him. What would a little extra snogging hurt?

She quickly got ready for bed, glad that she'd chosen a modest gown to wear. He wouldn't need to get the wrong idea. Opening the door, she walked across the darkened room to her bed, able to detect his silhouette. "That's my side," she said playfully.

"All right," he said, scooting over. When she remained near the edge of the bed, he pulled her closer. "Hermione, you've nothing to fear. Good night."

"Night," she said. In the long minutes before his light snore filled the room, she thought of the many things she'd like to experience with him. She wanted to be with him, but she was afraid of the repercussions of such actions. Perhaps once she was able to get her emotions under control and had the ability to discern between fantasy and reality, maybe she and he could have just one interlude.

Before she fell asleep, she felt him move closer to her, draping one leg partially over hers and putting an arm about her. She tense for a moment when she realized that his hand was on her breasts, but the soft snoring continued, reassuring her that he was sleeping. She'd never felt so wanted or safe before. Part of her wished their relationship truly was real. It would feel nice to go to sleep with him in such a way each night.

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Harry was looking at his book, but he'd read the same sentence fifty times. Ginny was sitting across from him, and every so often, he felt her foot touch his leg. Each time, they would look up at each other and grin. Why can't I just ask her? he asked himself in annoyance. All the signs are there. She'll say yes.

"Er..."

"Yes?"

"What are you reading?" he asked instead.

"Oh... uh, it's just a bit of light reading to accompany my Astronomy homework," she said. "You?"

"Er... Defense Against the Dark Arts homework," he said.

"You've not turned the page in about a half an hour," Ginny said, smirking slightly. "Are you truly studying?"

"Well, you see... er... If you must know... Hang on!" He closed his book and leaned forward. "I've not seen you turning your page either. Are you truly studying?"

"Oh, I'm studying something all right," she said suggestively.

Harry's eyebrows rose in surprise. Is she flirting with me? He looked around and saw that Ron was missing. Where's he gone to again? He noticed Neville heading their way. He knew he had to act fast. "WantogotoHogsmeadewithme?"

"Sorry?" she asked, giggling. "Your wand flows mead in you? Didn't quite catch that!"

"Would you like to go to Hogsmeade with me?" he asked, laughing at her misinterpretation of his words. "I mean... if you'd like or don't have plans."

As Ginny opened her mouth to reply, Neville plunked down. "Gin, did you decide if you were going to Hogsmeade or not? We're going to go to the Three Broomsticks about noon if you decide."

Feeling like an idiot, Harry sat back in his chair. She'd made plans already. He'd waited too long, misread the signs... Damn.

"Harry and I have plans to eat elsewhere," Ginny said, beaming proudly. "But if we get done, we'll stop by for a butterbeer or two."

"Fair enough," Neville said. Looking to Harry, he added, "Thought you were going with Ron."

"Oh, yeah... er... I decided to do my own thing. Ron's taken off anyway," he said, trying to sound casual.

"Saw him out in the corridor earlier. Talking to Parkinson, he was," Neville confided, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "I think they're a little friendly, if you ask me bout it."

Harry smirked. "Maybe," he said. In all honesty, he'd been thinking the same thing. It seemed that Ron found reasons to talk to her for the past few days, talked about her nearly constantly, and he'd been disappearing. "See you."

Ginny asked, "Do you think it's true?"

"I do."

"Well, good for him," she said, reaching across the table. "Want to escort me back to Gryffindor Tower? Maybe we could have a quick stroll to the Astronomy Tower." She nodded to her book. "Quite interesting, that."

"Brilliant," Harry said, smiling smugly. You're going to get snogged tonight, Ginevra, he thought to himself, helping her put her cloak on.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Draco bent over to whisper into Hermione's ear. "Professor Snape told me that my father is waiting for me in his office. I'm going to go down. Will you be here?"

Hermione shook her head. "I'll go back to either our common room or my own room."

"It will be all right. We might not even have to get you to meet him," he said quietly. "If that's the case, I guess all that practicing will have been for nothing." He winked. "Enjoyable but unnecessary."

"Good luck," she said, looking back down at her plate.

He simply nodded, smirked at Weasley, and made his way out of the Great Hall. He took the narrow stairway off the Entrance Hall to go down to Snape's office. Once he neared, he heard his father saying, "Don't worry, Severus. I shall have a word with him and clear this up."

"I think, Lucius, that you will find that your son can make up his own mind. I've told you numerous times this past week that Miss Parkinson has also..."

Draco's entrance cut his reply short. "Father, Professor," he greeted.

"I shall give you some privacy," Snape said, gliding past Draco and closing the door.

Draco sat next to his father and nodded. "You wanted to talk to me about Pansy and Hermione."

"What is between you and this Mudblood?" Lucius asked immediately. "I'll have you know that I am barraged each day with numerous owls. All of them are talking about you and this girl. What of our plans for your future with Miss Parkinson? Do you know she's now trying to cry off?"

I can do this, Draco told himself. "That future is no longer. I have other plans now."

"Come now, Draco. Surely you don't mean to carry on with this other girl," Lucius said incredulously. "She's not worthy of a Malfoy."

"How would you know, Father? You've not even met her. Not really," Draco retorted.

"I've been hearing about her since you entered this school." Lucius sneered lightly. "It's your words that have helped me to form an opinion about her, aside from the brushes with her that I've had in the past."

"Pansy and I don't want to be forced together any longer. That life used to be acceptable, but now, it simply isn't. We want to choose our own spouses."

Lucius stared at his son. "I do not approve of her. If not Parkinson, let me make other arrangements with another family. What of the Greengrass girl?"

"Father, don't you understand? I love Hermione. It's her that I have chosen." Draco saw his father's disbelieving expression. "Really," he added lamely.

"Interesting that this is the first I hear of it," Lucius said smoothly. "No matter. Do what you will with her, and then you need to be rid of her." He shook his head and chuckled. "I was known for my lusty appetite at one time as well, but I knew when to keep certain things hidden."

His father had just given him leave to do what he must, and he wouldn't force him to marry Pansy. A great weight had been lifted from Draco's shoulders with those words. However, he couldn't call things off with her yet. He had made a deal with her. When he was certain that Weasley wouldn't start bothering her again, they would end things. Truth be known, he wasn't ready to end things just yet. The time he had been spending with her was among the best he'd had.

Another thing that bothered him was the way his father was dismissing her as unworthy to be a Malfoy wife. If Hermione wasn't worthy, nobody was. Feeling indignant, he rose and said firmly, "I will not hide her away in some dark corridor. She is the woman that I have chosen. We have been secretly seeing each other for the past year." When his father's mouth gaped open slightly, he added, "That's right. Some of your old mates tried to do me in. She helped me escape, and that's how this all started. I'm tired of hiding her. You can accept it... or not."

Lucius stood in a huff. "Have a care with your words, boy, and to whom you are speaking with." His voice lowered to as whisper. "We shall see about this, Draco. I don't believe your mother will be very receptive either." After straightening his robes, he said snidely, "I shall discuss this with you further during the Christmas holiday. Perhaps by then, you'll have found your sense or have tired of her."

"I'll not tire of her," Draco said defiantly, knowing it to be true. He couldn't help it, but he wanted to keep her. He wanted to know her better.

When Lucius reached the door and opened it, he said, without turning back, "I am deeply disappointed, Draco. You know what an alliance to the Parkinsons would do for our family." With that said, he strode out, leaving Draco alone.

After the flow of adrenaline left his body, he exited Snape's office, not meeting him along the way. His father hadn't even asked to see her, choosing to believe that it would pass. He'd like to prove him wrong. If only Hermione would feel something for him...

He found her in the common room and moved directly to her. "We need to talk."

"Sure," she said, rising immediately to take his hand and leaving her friends to follow them with their eyes. "Are you all right?" she asked when they were alone in her room.

"I stood up to him," Draco said proudly, pacing across her floor. "He tried to get me to admit that things weren't as I said, but I held fast!"

"So he doesn't want to meet me then?" Hermione asked in a small voice.

Draco paused and looked at her, expression darkening. "No, I don't think he truly believes how much I care about you. He thinks this is just something that will pass." Damn! I'm admitting to her how I feel. I can't look ridiculous. "Even though he offered to find another more suitable mate, I refused him. I knew you still needed me to hold up our end of the deal."

Her face fell for a second. "Right. Thank you."

"Wait," he said, reaching out to pull her to him. "I didn't mean it to sound so..."

"But that's all it is. Don't worry. No offense taken," she said, grinning lightly. How could I be so foolish? For a moment, I thought...

It was her smile that did him in. "Hermione," he said, drawing out the sound of each syllable as he did so. His lips found hers for an intense kiss. When she parted her lips, he was lost in the moment, picking her up and carrying her to the bed. He never broke the kiss as his hands found her breasts and fondled them. "God," he murmured when his lips finally left hers.

He kissed his way down to her throat and groaned as he felt her pulling at his hair and whimpering with want. His fingers were able to unbutton her blouse in record time and push her bra up and away from her breasts, baring them to him. Eagerly, his mouth and fingers attacked and teased her soft mounds, causing her nipples to harden. He flicked his tongue round her peaks while grinding himself against her.

Tearing away from her, Draco sat back, still straddling her, to begin unfastening his shirt. This was his mistake. It was then that the spell between them was broken. The instant her eyes widened, he knew that they would go no further than they had already. He simply moved aside, sighing in discontent and fixing his shirt while she buttoned hers.

"Draco, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to lead you on," she began, voice cracking. "I just don't want to start something that can never truly be finished."

"Right," he nodded, not facing her.

"After I'm certain that Ron has moved on, we'll end things, and I think if we choose to do this, it will only complicate things."

Able to school his feelings, he faced her. "Don't worry. 'S all right." He leaned over to kiss her cheek. "Want to go have a walk to the lake? It's not all that cold out."

"All right," she said, taking his hand. "My cloak is just there."

As he helped her put her cloak on, he couldn't help but to feel the disappointment flow through his body. They'd been so close. He'd been so close to having her. He vowed to truly try to woo her while he still had the chance to pretend to be her boyfriend. It would likely be the only way he could ever experience her. Maybe by the time Christmas was upon them, he would be telling his father the truth about them...instead of lies.

Southern's Notes: Sorry that this took a little longer to get out. I had to arrange things differently. The next chapter is not going to need much changing around, so it'll be up sooner.

Christy's Notes: Well! I am happy Draco stood up to his father; now can he face Narcissa? He and Hermione were so close, but I can't blame her for guarding her heart. The thing is, does she really need to?