“Never doubt the lengths I will go for you, darling...” ~ Chapter 17 is finally live!
"Thank Salazar you're here!" Draco snatched her hand the instant Hermione came through the Floo and quickly checked over her appearance with a critical eye. "Mother's been going barmy worrying we'd be late to meet the Minister."
Hermione snorted and batted away her cousin's hand after he flicked dust from a stray curl. "I'm thirty minutes early."
Draco flung his head back with a groan and snatched her hand in his. "I know, but this is the bloody World Cup, Hermione. You should always arrive at least an hour early for important events."
Hermione wrinkled her nose and struggled to keep up with Draco's loping pace. "Did you grow another inch over the summer? Bloody hell your legs are long," she huffed.
His silver eyes glinted as he turned around and pressed a finger to her lips. "See, that right there needs to stop this very instant, Hermione Black. Do not allow anyone to hear you swear beyond this point, yes?"
She rolled her eyes. "You're one to talk."
Draco chuffed as he slipped her hand to rest on the crook of his elbow and led her down the grand stairs away from the family wing that would bring them to the main hall's Floo. "Yes, but you're a lady, remember?"
Hermione bit her lip before her giggle could escape. "I'm no more a lady than you are a gentleman, Draco Malfoy."
Draco swept his hand to the side. "Why do I bother? Fine, carry on as you are wont to do. But don't expect me to stick up for you in front of my father this time. We're past the age for a betrothal contract, and I swear I overheard Mother mention our names together at least thrice when they thought I wasn't listening."
He shot her a narrow glare but his mouth twitched at the corners betraying his amusement. "Well pardon me for not learning whatever you call English from the streets."
Draco yelped as Hermione pressed a silent stinging hex to his elbow with her finger. She held fast and favored him with a sharp grin that had him muttering under his breath until they reached the ground floor landing. A murmur of voices echoed just ahead and Hermione pulled Draco to a standstill as her nerves crawled up her spine. Her breathing increased slightly as she attempted to quiet her mind.
"Hermione?" Draco's voice seemed very far away.
Breathe, little phoenix. Remember who you are, the locket whispered.
She nodded and didn't realize she'd closed her eyes until Draco's hand tipped her chin up to meet his concerned gaze. She blinked rapidly and the vice around her heart eased. "I'm fine," she said. "Just didn't eat enough breakfast."
Draco arched a single eyebrow and his lips thinned before he traced her cheekbone with his calloused thumb. "Are you sure? Say the word and I let you hex me with a pox or something that keeps us from going."
Hermione smiled and pulled his hand away, giving it a squeeze. "You're lovely when you want to be, did you know that?"
Lovely? Do not put ideas into this boy's head, the Tom in her head snarled.
Draco barked a surprised laugh that was eerily reminiscent of Sirius, then rolled his eyes. "Do not insult me. I am merely playing the part of a gentleman, milady."
Hermione jabbed him in the stomach and giggled at his affronted expression. "Still think I'm a lady?"
Draco grimaced. "Are you quite done assaulting me like a bleeding muggle?"
"Language," she whispered as they reached the drawing room.
"There they are!" Narcissa cooed, though the slightly rushed steps she took to reach them betrayed her urgency. "Hermione, dear, so happy you could join us." She still pressed gentle kisses on either of Hermione's cheeks, then passed a critical eye over Hermione just like her son had. "Lovely... you have done well, dear. I believe he will be pleased," she added in a low voice.
"Thank you, Aunt Cissa." Hermione pasted a practiced smile upon her face while cutting a sharp glance between a suddenly nervous Draco. Her blood froze as Theo Nott stepped away from the gathered group of guests.
