Essence of Hermione

Chapter 2: The Art of Seduction

Hermione sat at the very back of the library, concealed from most prying eyes by a shelf of books. Her knees were hauled up to her chin, and not surprisingly, there was a heavy book open in front of her. Every now and then angry mutterings could be heard from her, followed by the violent turning of pages. She looked up as she heard footsteps approaching.

"Go away Ron," she said angrily.

However, it was not a head of red hair that stepped around the bookshelf, but the platinum blonde of her most hated enemy. Draco held up his hands at Hermione's expression.

"Relax Granger, I come in peace."

She glared at him as he took the seat across from her.

"Not in the best of moods I see. What's the matter, boyfriend being insensitive again?"

"Ron's not my boyfriend!" she said heatedly, a split second before realizing her mistake.

Draco smirked at her.

"Close your mouth Granger, unless you're planning on catching flies."

"You... you..."

"Don't worry, I'm not going to tell anyone about your little crush."

Hermione turned even redder, though from embarrassment or anger, Draco didn't know. He knew he was getting her angry, but he had always been one to test his limits.

"I have absolute no idea what you see in him of course... those freckles and that awful hair. When compared to someone say, like me-"

"Why you conceited-"

"Come on Granger. I'm not conceited; I'm just stating the facts. Don't tell me you don't find me even the least bit attractive. Hell, I've got most girls drooling all over me."

Hermione raised her eyebrows even though she knew what he said was true. With his silvery hair, gray eyes and muscular body, Draco Malfoy had become most girls' not so secret fantasy. She shook herself mentally, Malfoy was a git, sexy or not.

"What's your point, Malfoy?" she asked coldly.

Draco smiled inwardly. He always had liked a good challenge, and Hermione Granger was about as hard as they came.

"I've been watching you Granger, and I'm liking what I'm seeing."

She rolled her eyes.

"You hate me, Malfoy. Don't forget that. I'm not one of your little sex toys."

He laughed.

"How perceptive of you. Don't worry, this is a purely physical attraction you can be sure."

Hermione frowned slightly. She knew she wasn't ugly, but she had never thought of herself as, well, Malfoy's type. Not that she was even considering what he was saying.

"Sod off, Malfoy."

"What, can't take a compliment? Actually, I think the reason why I'm so attracted to you is the very fact that you're not one of my sex toys. They get so boring and... used up," he drawled, and smiled at her shocked expression. "Is my nasty tongue hurting your virgin ears? So sorry." He laughed.

She shook head.

"Why are you even saying all this to me? Harry and Ron would kill you if they knew you even looked at me the wrong way."

"So you're saying that you need them to stand up for you? Never would have thought I'd hear from the mouth of Hermione Granger that she needed a pair of idiot, hormonal guys as bodyguards. Then again, you're not talking to Weasel so..."

Her eyes narrowed dangerously and he knew he had probably gone to far.

"I ask again, why are you telling me this?" Hermione said, her voice low and dangerous.

Draco knew he'd better cut to the chase. Leaning in close to her so his breath brushed her neck he whispered to her.

"I'm suggesting that we have a little... fun," he said in a low, husky whisper and was rewarded with Hermione shivering slightly. His breath made all the little hairs at the nape of her neck stand on end.

"What kind of... fun?" she asked, and Draco was positive he heard a nervous note in there somewhere. She licked her lips self-consciously.

He smiled into her hair. And damn, what kind of shampoo did she use? Strawberries and... he gave him a mental shake. Business. And then maybe later fun. Who said that this whole vengeance thing couldn't be exciting? He smirked. That worked on so many levels. He turned his mind back to Hermione. He knew that the physical part had to come first. Once he had her wanting him, then he could mess with her mind. But not until he was sure that he would leave her aching for more.

"The kind of fun only Draco Malfoy can provide," he said in a sexy voice, and then let his lips trail along her neck."

"Stop. Draco... er, Malfoy! What could you possibly want with me, the mudblood, the muggle born, everything you were raised to hate, when, you said it yourself, half the female population of this school is drooling over you?"

He leaned away from her.

"That's what makes you so appealing, Granger," he said as if it were obvious. "You're forbidden. Not to mention, you're not half bad looking." He looked at her as if sizing her up. "Nice curves," she blushed, "nice teeth... wasn't that thanks to me? Nice legs, easy on the eyes. Yep, check list seems to be all checked." He leaned in close again. "And we both know that you find me sexy."

She shook her head.

"I'm not that shallow, Malfoy."

"Oh really?" he asked her with a slow, sexy smile. "I think we're all a little shallow when it all comes down to it," he said leaning in close once more, and this time trailing his lips down her jaw line. "Admit it, Granger. You want me," he drawled, and she gulped before pulling away.

"Ron..."

"Is an insensitive prat."

Hermione shook her head.

"No, he's not, he's just... oh. Why am I even saying this, and to you of all people!"

"Oh come on, like you've never wanted to let off a little... sexual tension after you've had a good bawl at Weasley or Potter." He shook his head at Hermione's strangled gasp. "You really are a prude, aren't you Granger. Not that I couldn't fix that..."

Color bloomed on Hermione's cheeks. Draco sighed.

"I can see I'm wasting my time here."

He stood up to leave but Hermione put a tentative hand on his arm.

"Purely physical?" she asked in a quiet voice.

Draco looked at her, surprised. He had expected to have a much harder time then this, with all of her morals and what not standing in the way. He quickly masked his shock, however, and leaned down, cupping her chin in his hand.

"Purely physical," he assured her.

He felt her quiver beneath his fingers and he knew he had her. He leaned in and captured her mouth with his, smiling against her lips. It was a quick kiss, one leaving much room for the desire for more.

"See you around, Granger," he said, before turning and walking away.

Hermione sat there stunned at what had just happened. What was she thinking? Kissing a Malfoy! She shivered slightly and touched a finger to her lips. No one had ever kissed her like that, had ever made her feel like that. Sure, she knew she liked Ron, she had for some time now, but he didn't make her ache. There was an emptiness inside her now that she knew could only be filled be more of Malfoy. She shook her head in wonder. Who would have ever thought she would be thinking these thoughts. It was very nearly blasphemy. She stood up slowly, gathering her books and heading out of the library, lost in thought. Wondering what would happen now, and most of all, what would happen if Harry or Ron found out what had went on in the library that day.