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Auror Draco Malfoy is nothing but professional within office walls, even with his group of close friends. This circle of friends now extends beyond the ex-Slytherin house members and the occasional Muggle friend that Hermione brings with her. But outside of that, he’s pretty outgoing and at ease, very unlike the Draco everyone knew from their Hogwarts days. Even Blaise would agree, stating that ‘Malfoy no longer acts like he has a stick up his arse’.
So when this circle of friends get together for a party, Draco is usually the first one to get tipsy or sometimes, if his inhibitions are completely down, he allows himself to drink until he passes out.
Tonight is a night where Draco is in his senses, drinking enough not to be completely sober but stable enough. The party is in honour of Ginny’s new promotion to Captain of the Holly Harpies, at Grimmauld Place, Harry’s posh bachelor pad that has been witness to many wild parties ever since the war trials.
“Draco, mate, Pansy’s been looking for you,” Ron says as he finds Draco and Seamus in one of the hallways, debating heatedly about the new Quidditch laws.
“Uh, be there in a bit,” Draco says distractedly.
“I think it’s kinda important. Seamus, Dean says to get you too!”
The three of them head down to the lounge area upstairs, where most people have gathered around Pansy. She’s giving a speech to celebrate Ginny’s rise while Ginny and her teammates pop open numerous bottles of champagne. The bottles are passed around, and Draco snatches one, drinking straight from it like the others are.
“Might want to eat something to hold down that liquor,” Hermione says as she sidles up to him.
“Maybe, but maybe not.” He looks at her closely and then adds, “Want to step out to the garden for some air?”
“Sure,” she smiles, taking his hand in hers and leading him to the beautiful backyard that Harry has committed himself to. Violets are blooming everywhere, along with several wild flowers and shrubs that he’s collected from across his travels. Major perk of not being a Ministry employee, Draco thinks.
“Are you sure you are alright?” Hermione asks. “I can get you some cheese.”
“I am fine, I haven’t had much to drink earlier.” She hums in response.
“Sooo, have you been keeping up with the new creature laws in the US?” he asks, not only to break the silence but to catch up with her. The two love discussing magic and Muggle updates with each other, sometimes agreeing, often at each other’s throats when they want to prove themselves right. And Draco is a sucker for that tension, knows how deeply he’s crushing on the Golden Girl.
“Downright abominable, but you can’t expect anything out of such a Minister.”
“How’s your organisation there handling it?”
Hermione might have started roughly with SPEW, but ever since she joined the Ministry, she has built a stronger organisation to care for magical creatures. She, along with a phenomenal team, even extended it beyond the UK and across oceans. Nothing but magnificent, this witch.
“It’s been strenuous, but we are currently liaising with some Ministers there. I am sceptical, but Padma remains hopeful, which is great because she’s overlooking most of the work right now.”
“Let me know if you need help, especially if there’s any research I can help with from here.”
“Thanks for the offer, Draco,” she says, resting her hand on his arm.
“Yeah, of course. And also, remember to take a break, just for a few minutes,” he smirks.
“Prat!”
“Know-it-all!” Both of them giggle, and Draco leans in towards her, snaking his arms around her waist. “Hermione, this may be the champagne hitting, but Merlin, I could kiss you right now.”
“Draco,” she sighs, not breaking eye contact. He pushes a few errant curls behind her ear, dropping his hand to her bare neck and rubbing circles on her sensitive skin.
“I haven’t stopped thinking of the other night. I know we were interrupted, but there’s so much I want to say,” he breathes in deeper, “or do to you.”
“Draco, me too,” Hermione whispers, stretching on her toes to wrap her arms around Draco’s neck. “I wish we could have kissed each other back then. I know I was left waiting in need after that.”
“The feelings are mutual, Hermione,” Draco says and doesn’t waste a moment before he kisses her. The kiss is sweet, as Draco has dreamt, but Hermione kisses with a tenacity that Draco hasn’t yet dared to dream of.
“Merlin,” he gasps into the kiss as she bites his lower lip. He can feel her smirk against his lips, but he discovers that he has nothing to complain about.