Entry tags:

bloody baron/grey lady, draco/cho

FIC: So Good (Draco/Cho, Bloody Baron/Grey Lady)
To: SelinaKyle47
From: Your Secret Santa

Title: So Good
Author: romaine24
Pairings: Draco/Cho Grey Lady/Bloody Baron
Summary: A ghostly Christmas Eve dance leads another Ravenclaw and Slytherin to a different ending.
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 9211
Warnings: none
Author's notes: Merry Christmas, Selina. I hope you enjoy the story. I also want to thank my wonderful beta mjc.



Christmas Eve, 2016

“Merry Christmas, Cho,” Professor Longbottom said as he kissed her on the cheek, under the small swag of mistletoe affixed to the top of the Great Hall doorframe.

“Merry Christmas,” she replied as she kissed him back. “Give Hannah my best. I hope Father Christmas is good to you and your family this year.”

He cupped her chin in his warm hand. “The same to you. I hope they show up and dance for you.”

She released a wistful smile. “It’s now tradition for them to do so.”

The heavy door closed behind Neville. Cho Chang, Professor of Arithmancy, turned to face the Great Hall. The magical sky was filled with brilliant stars. Their twinkling seemed to be harmonious with the fairy lights on the dozen Christmas trees in the room. She lowered the torchlights, and with another flick of her wand, she cleared the House tables and called for music to oppose the silence of the space. She knew her house ghost favoured the harp while she floated around the room. When they danced, the other instruments would join in.

Cho’s footsteps were silent as she walked across the floor; she stopped in the middle and closed her eyes. Memories of old came through as she twirled in small circles with her invisible partner; her basic professor robes transformed into a fanciful white ball-gown in her imagination. She only indulged herself with these memories on this night. It had been the happiest night of her life, the night of the Yule Ball. She knew how pitiful it sounded that the best night of her life was at the age of fifteen, but it was true. The pain of losing Cedric had dissipated over the long years, yet the memories were still in tact. He had been so handsome, so friendly, and so open. The whole school year had been lovely and magical until the crashing end.

She waltzed to the High Table and over to the door leading to the antechamber. This spot, she discovered over the years, was the most unobtrusive place for her to watch. They knew she was there, but she still felt that she was in their way. It was her first year teaching at Hogwarts, when she first saw them dance on Christmas Eve. The following year she invited others to watch, but the Grey Lady and Bloody Baron bowed to her and then promptly drifted out of the room. She learned that only she was given the honour to see them put aside their differences and come together as a couple. Harry had told her what he had learned from the Grey Lady, which meant that this act didn’t make sense unless they were reliving a memory where they had once been together, or that the two ghosts had set aside their differences for the occasion. She once fantasized that she and Cedric would do the same, but no, Cedric was not a ghost, and she doubted she would want to be one either.

The harp music calmed her thoughts. The Christmas Eve dinner with the six remaining students had been wonderful. Harry and Ginny had come by after dessert, gathered the students up, and brought them to their home. Harry, while having fond memories of Christmas spent at Hogwarts, felt that a child needed to be in a home over the holidays. She gave a small chuckle thinking how close they had come to having to take Scorpius Malfoy home with them. Not that Harry would have minded, but she was sure the Malfoy family would have been mortified. Finally, yesterday, the soon-to-be ex-wife of Draco Malfoy picked up the boy. Scorpius had not seemed surprised by the occurrence, nor affected by the scandalous headlines that had been ripping across the Daily Prophet for the past few weeks. She had no idea what the true story was, but she had to admit, the words flying back and forth between the two parties was entertaining. It was of special interest that while Draco was accused of having affairs, the latest edition of the Prophet said that he had been the one being granted a divorce on charges of his wife’s infidelity.

The fairies on the trees became excited and their lights flashed every colour of the spectrum. It was time. The ghosts from Ravenclaw and Slytherin were about to appear. Cho stood silently by the door, hoping to be as unobtrusive as possible. To her dismay, it wasn’t the ghosts that entered the Great Hall, it was the wizard she had just been thinking about. She was about to step forward and announce her presence when she spied the ethereal figures following the lone Slytherin wizard.

She gulped as it had been years since she had seen Draco Malfoy. He nodded to the Bloody Baron, who in turn, acknowledged him with an exaggerated bow. The two ghosts, arm in arm, floated about the room as the harp continued to play. Draco walked quietly about, seemingly confused by the room empty of its tables. He stopped at the largest of the trees, and reached out to touch a crystal ornament. The gentleness of the way he rolled it in his fingers made her wonder which figurine it was. He let the ornament go and continued to stroll, taking his time looking at each tree. What he was thinking and remembering, she longed to know.

His low-heeled riding boots barely made a sound as he stepped along the wooden floor. She didn’t remember him being so tall, but she did remember he was always dressed well, and tonight was no different. If the lights were lower, his dark-green, crinkled silk cloak could pass for black. His black trousers were tucked into the high riding boots, and were matched with a white shirt. She watched him as he reached into a hidden cloak pocket and withdraw a silver flask. He drank from it as if it contained water; she was sure it didn’t. Fairy lights reflected off the rings on his fingers. Each ring was probably worth more than her yearly salary.

When the music changed, and the orchestra joined the harp, he spun around, and a smile slowly crept across his face as he watched the other two occupants bow to each other and begin to dance. Cho barely breathed as she inspected each movement Draco Malfoy made. She never remembered being this close to him, alone. She wasn’t sure if she thought him handsome, but by the way he carried himself, made her think he was. She had never liked long hair on men, but the idea of what it would feel like to run her fingers through his almost white mane made her shiver. No she told herself, do not think in those terms.

Another part of consciousness said, Why not? She knew why not. She had been warned from early on that good girls didn’t fancy boys like Draco Malfoy. It didn’t matter, as he was so far from her type, it was laughable to think of them even being friendly acquaintances. No, her type had always been the same: kind, brave, intelligent, and funny. Draco Malfoy was intelligent, but she doubted he had any of the other three qualities that she admired. Cedric, Harry, Charlie Weasley…that was her type. Look where it’s got you? a voice whispered in her ear. She couldn’t control the small cough that forced its way out.

Draco turned in her direction and smiled briefly as he advanced towards her. His posture was impeccable, and she doubted he ever slouched. “Professor Chang,” Draco said respectfully, “I’m sorry if I intruded. I saw the ghosts coming down the stairway and I couldn’t resist following them. I’m not sure why they insisted I come in first.”
“You’re not intruding, if you were, they wouldn’t be here,” she replied. He looked at her questioningly. She grinned back. “You’re the first, besides me, that have ever seen them dance. They do it every Christmas Eve.”

Draco glanced back at the dancing ghosts. “A Slytherin and a Ravenclaw. Who would’ve guessed?”

“He killed her,” Cho whispered, “and then he killed himself.”

Draco sniggered as he turned to face her. The expression did not flatter him. “Over a witch? Over love?” he said despairingly, “I’m thankful I’ll never feel anything so deep in that matter.”

She was about to counter his statement when she saw a flicker of sadness cross his face. He was lying. “Yes, emotions can be rather inconvenient,” she said.

Draco lowered his glance and stared into her eyes. She knew he was trying to read her, but she’d become a master at masking her emotions. She had to be. There was no other way to stop her friends from having that look of pity when they spoke to her. “Some are worth having,” Draco responded, and gave her a wink.

It was the last thing she had expected him to do. She covered her mouth to stifle the giggle. “May I ask why you are here tonight? Has Scorpius been returned?”

“Phht,” he sputtered. “No, he’s with his mother tonight. He will be with me starting tomorrow at three. The court ordered it so. I was dropping off the court papers to the Headmaster, to show when my lovely ex-wife was allowed to pick him up in the future.”

“I’m sorry,” Cho replied. The words automatically fell from her mouth.

Draco lifted the flask, still in his hand, and took a large swallow of its contents. “So am I. My son deserves better. Would you like some?” he asked as he tilted the flask in her direction.

“No, thank-you.”

“It’s quite good. Please, celebrate with me. My divorce is final as of this afternoon. Such a lovely Christmas present.

Cho reached for the flask. She wasn’t sure why, but something in his voice struck a nerve deep down in her body. It was sad, commanding, and sarcastic all at the same time. She couldn’t think of an argument to counter all of those feelings. As she surmised, the liquid was not water, but it was just as smooth. It was Scotch and the finest she had ever tasted. Draco smiled at her as she took another sip. She couldn’t help but stare at the row of perfectly straight teeth, but the smile itself was a bit crooked. It was charming, like a little boys, she thought. No, it’s not. That’s no little boy.

“You never married?” Draco asked, he took the flask back and took a small sip. Cho hoped her jaw did not hit the floor as she saw the tip of his tongue circle the opening before putting it to his lips. He then handed it back to her.

“No, my expectations are too high, and all of the good ones are taken.”

Draco coughed and laughed.

“Oh, God, I’m—I’m sorry, Mr. Malfoy, I didn’t mean it—I didn’t mean it that way,” she said stumbling over her words of apology.

“Draco, please, call me Draco,” Draco said, still laughing. She watched him watch her as she took a large helping of the Scotch. She went to hand it back to him but he raised his hand.

“Have you ever thought there might be different definitions of good?” he asked, arching his right brow. Her heart skipped a beat seeing the playfulness in his eyes.

“I think I know what good is,” she whispered. Draco cupped her elbow, raising the flask to her lips again. She imbibed more than a small swallow and was already feeling light-headed as the alcohol coursed through her veins.

He was staring right into her eyes. She suddenly saw the teasing vanish, replaced by something else. A hint of danger, and part of her felt like running; she felt like prey and he was the predator. She didn’t run, she took another drink and handed him the flask. The other part of her wanted to see what this wizard was all about. After all, her parents and friends had always warned against those kinds of wizards, whatever that meant. She would play along for a while. It could be interesting to find out what they worried about, after all, she was a Ravenclaw.

“Ah, Gryffindor and Hufflepuff good is not what I’m talking about,” he said. She suddenly was unsure whether she had the skills to match his.

“Is there another kind?” she replied teasingly.

Draco laughed aloud. “Would you care to dance, Professor?”

Before she could respond, his hand was on the middle of her back, leading her to the centre of the Great Hall. The Bloody Baron nodded to Draco and then led the Grey Lady towards the entrance door, where they stopped and kissed before disappearing through the wood. The music continued to play.

Cho had always loved to dance, but so few of her paramours enjoyed it. They would dance with her, of course, but always out of obligation. With the exception of Cedric, she reminded herself, and that one perfect night. However, even Cedric in her wildest fantasies did not move her across the dance floor as Draco Malfoy was now doing.

“You’re quite good at this,” he whispered in her ear.

“So are you.”

Draco tilted his head down and gave her a small grin before pulling her closer and interlacing their fingers of their joined hands. “Hmm, would that be the right kind of good?”

Confidence, she thought. Draco was completely sure of every move he made. There was no awkwardness or jokes to cover-up an insecurity, and suddenly the revelation came that this why other men made jokes, they knew there were wizards like this to compete with.

“It’s a different good, but a nice one.”

Draco chuckled and then was silent as they continued to dance. If she closed her eyes, she could pretend this was a dream, she wasn’t sure she wanted it to be real, as the moment was too perfect and she was sure it would come crashing down around her. The small voice was back and it told her she was ‘pissed’, and maybe she was. All she knew was it felt good to be held by a man, by someone who might find her appealing. The other men she danced with, when the rare occasion called for it, were just friends. Draco Malfoy certainly didn’t fall into that category. She withheld a gasp as his hand on her back slid down lower. He wasn’t pretending that it was accidental, or asking permission, or waiting for a response to see if it was okay, he just did it.

She didn’t know what to do, except to continue to dance. Her hand might have squeezed his shoulder a little tighter as his hand continued to move, and made circles as they slid over her bum. She might have pressed further into him, closing any distance that remained, but then again, it might have been just the response when his fingers gave her bum cheek a little pinch. She couldn’t look at him, she was afraid to see what was in his eyes. His nose nuzzled into her hair and soft exhalation sent shivers down her spine as she rested her head on his chest.

The music stopped suddenly. Strong hands grasped her shoulders and pushed her back a step or two. Dilated grey eyes stared down into hers. “Professor, thank you for the lovely dance. I believe it’d be best if I leave now before my goodness wears off,” he said and gave her another crooked smile. His eyes and slight flush to his cheeks told her that is not what he wanted. He might not have asked permission to stroke her bum, but if she wanted more, it was her decision. He’d given the signs and words telling her of his interest. She felt the warmth of the Scotch, and the tingle she felt, she wouldn’t attest to where that came from. If she invited him to stay, she knew that it might lead to something more…her mind clouded at the thought of more. The voices in her head were combating to be heard.

Who would ever know?

You would.

Wouldn’t it be nice to be held again?

Yes, but not by someone who’ll leave the moment it’s over with.

You could find out what the others don’t want you to know.

Maybe they know best..

She smiled back and nodded. “Yes, I suppose you are right,” she said softly.

Draco nodded back; the message of refusal had been received. As they turned to leave the room, he placed his hand on the center of her back again. It could be seen as a sign of a gentleman leading a woman off the dance floor, but the gesture seemed more to her, almost a sign of possession. They left the Great Hall and she walked him to the Entrance Hall’s front door.

He turned and kissed her gently on the cheek. “Merry Christmas, Professor,” he said as the large doors opened. A draft of crisp frigid air blew in, making her shiver.

“Cho, you may call me, Cho and good night, Dra….Draco,” she said haltingly, and then before she could stop herself, she muttered quickly, “Would you like some tea to warm you before you leave?”

He turned on the third step down. His hand reached up and swiped the long hair whipping across his face. “That would be lovely. I am honoured that you would ask.”
She almost choked on his words as he spoke them. He was too suave, too sophisticated, too bloody gorgeous standing out there in the winter wind. She held out her hand. Come back in and we will have tea.

As they walked the multitude of stairs, his hand no longer holding hers, it was now resting on her shoulder. Whether she leant into him, or he pulled her in closer as they walked up the winding, spiral staircase, it didn’t matter, both acknowledged that once their destination was reached, something between them was going to happen tonight.

She watched him gaze about the Ravenclaw tower. He had obviously never been there before. She guided him past the bronze eagle knocker on the Ravenclaw common room and around the circular hallway to a simple arched door. She placed her hand on the wooded panel and it opened. She loved her small quarters and its curved walls. The stone fireplace was already lit. Two overstuffed chairs faced it with a small coffee table between. A small dining table and her study took up the rest of the room. If she’d known she would be having company, she would’ve removed the books and students’ scrolls covering her desk. “Let me take your cloak,” she offered, “and please have a seat. I’ll order the tea and some biscuits if you like.”

Draco undid the silver frogs and handed her his cloak. It was so much lighter than she expected. “Would you mind if I had hot chocolate instead?”

She took a double take, as the expression was one of innocence she expected to see only from a young boy. “Sure, I think I’ll join you.”

Draco gracefully sat in the chair patterned with a blue background and small white eagles. “Would Hogwarts have any Peppermint Schnapps to go with that chocolate?”
She laughed as she hung up his cloak on the hook by the door. “I’m sure they do. I‘ll go order and be back in a few minutes. I’d also like to get out of these robes.”

“Can I help?” Draco said with sly grin.

She laughed again. “No, I’m perfectly capable of changing clothes without help.”
Cho walked through the doorway leading into her small kitchen and sent a note down to the kitchen house-elves with her order. The small fire hole consumed her request. The one closed door led to her bedroom, her sanctuary, it was the only room she decorated with more than the basics. The large bed was covered with a violet duvet and an abundance of pillows. The large arched windows she never covered, no one could see up here, and she loved the view. Tonight, the Christmas Eve sky was smattered with twinkling lights. She removed her robes and opened the wardrobe to put on…what? What, she asked herself, would she put on. She didn’t want to appear too suggestive or too uptight. She glanced in the mirror as she stood there deciding, in her bra and knickers. She jumped, as she spotted the reflection of a man leaning against the doorway with a cup of hot chocolate in his hand.

“It was getting cold and I have to use the loo,” Draco said much too casually.

Cho reached up grabbing her dressing gown, trying to cover herself as best she could.
“The loo, is through that door,” she said, pointing to the small door next to the wardrobe.

Draco strolled in and set the mug on the bedside table. She was frozen in place as he walked by and paused. His fingers reached for her long black hair and rubbed a few strands between his fingers. “Beautiful,” Draco said as if he talking to himself. His grey eyes travelled from her hair down her half-covered body and then up to her face. She could fool herself into seeing warmth in his eyes, but she knew she would be wrong. He leant down and brushed his lips across her closed ones. The scent of peppermint and chocolate permeated the air. “May I be so bold and suggest something silky, and if available, transparent?”

Cho blinked her eyes, not quite believing what she was hearing. Draco resumed his steps towards the loo. Her head felt fuzzy, but her skin felt like it was on fire. No one had ever been this bold with her; no one had ever assumed that she would bed them so easily. The logical part of her wanted to go to her dresser, withdraw her flannel nightgown, and send the arrogant bastard out of her room. Moreover, if he wouldn’t leave, all she had to do was ask for help. The portrait over the dresser would send word. The tip of her tongue licked the moistness left on her lips.

The other part of her wanted to reach for the negligee she had never worn. Katie Bell had given it to her many years ago, when Cho had been considering marrying Charlie Weasley. It was silky, it was transparent white, and it had lace, which was something she loved. The feel of lace over her breasts was one of her secret pleasures.

The bathroom door opened before she had made a decision. Draco exited, raised a brow, and then left her bedroom. The bastard. She was sure he would stay and seduce her. Instead he’d put the decision—and the responsibility—all on her shoulders.

Draco grinned as Cho returned to the sitting room wearing a long blue dressing gown, tied tightly. She set her mug of hot chocolate on the table, sat in the empty chair by the fire, stretched out her legs, and crossed her bare ankles.

“I’m curious as to what ornament it was that caught your attention earlier?” Cho said, taking the initiative to make small talk.

A hint of emotion filled the eyes peering at her over the top of the mug. After a lengthy pause, Draco replied. “It was a replica of the Triwizard Cup.”

Cho stifled the gasp trying to escape as her thoughts filled with memories of Cedric. “May I ask why?”

Draco sighed deeply. “It was an innocent time in my life. I’ve had wonderful times since then, but that was the last year of my life where things seemed to be right in the world. Not that they were, but that is where the innocence comes in.”

The wizard completely confused her, one minute he was arrogant, the next someone who touched emotions deep in her soul. Cho shifted in her chair as she reached for the hot chocolate; her robe slid open, revealing long naked legs, which she quickly covered.
“I understand, it is also a year I treasure in my memories,” she said softly.

“Until the end…” Draco said hesitantly.

“Yes, until the end.”

Draco set his mug down and reached across the small span between them. His fingers touched her covered knee. “I know it is decades too late, but, I am sorry, Cho. I wasn’t at the time, but things, as you know, change.”

Her hand fell onto his and gave it a squeeze. “Thank you and I do know many things have changed since then.” She wanted to change the subject; she had learned the hard way that thinking of that year was not beneficial when speaking with other people.

“Your son is getting along quite well, from what I hear. Neville says he’s quite polite to all of the other students.”

Draco’s fingers stretched out from her grasp and gently stroked the blue cotton material draped over her legs. “That’s good to hear, he’s had a rough time at home, and I admit to being concerned to whether it would affect his school work and life.”

Something in Cho’s stomach stirred with his touch. No, she corrected herself, it was lower than her stomach. She wanted to so much just separate her legs a tad and see where the long ringed fingers would travel. “Will he be taking Arithmancy as an elective?” she asked trying to ignore the fingertips that were now curling around the edge of her dressing gown. She wanted to yell out to him just to pull it back, but she didn’t, because she was unsure she would be able to tell him to stop. The hot chocolate suddenly felt thick in her mouth.

Draco leant further over; just the pad of his thumb reached under the material’s edge and touched her skin. She shivered at the small, soft stroke. “I would encourage him too, but I’m also afraid that he wouldn’t learn a damn thing while daydreaming about his professor.”

Cho smiled at the blatant compliment. “You’re not comparing me to Lockhart are you?”
Draco laughed, sliding his hand partially between her closed legs. The dressing gown slid aside to reveal long legs and a short, silky lingerie. An almost imperceptible groan came from Draco.

“No,” he said softly, as his hand dipped lower into the forced crevice between her knees and his thumb stroked higher, “he would be blinded by your intelligence also.”

The flattery, if given by anyone but him, would have seemed juvenile, but with his silky voice, it felt like high praise. She still could not open her legs, part of her was holding back. It was only after months of dating that she’d allow a man’s hand between her legs, and even then, they did so hesitantly, and in the dark. Draco Malfoy did so boldly, and in the full glowing light of the fire.

She knew she should reach down and grab his wrist, move his hand away, and cover her legs back up, but once again, she didn’t. He chose to take her silence as approval and soon his hand was stroking up and down her thigh. He never reached beyond where the negligee hem lay, but instead teased her by switching to her other leg. Without warning his hand dipped between the two, turned, and forced them apart. The whimper came right before she bit down on her lower lip.

“Merlin, your legs are smooth,” he whispered.

She tried to regain her composure, and reached down for his hand, but he swiftly moved out of his chair, and knelt before her. His eyes never left hers; it was as if he was daring her to make him stop. “What…what do you think you…” she stuttered.

“Don’t think, Cho, just feel,” he said abruptly, not letting her finish the question. With that statement, she closed her eyes and felt his hands grasp her knees pushing them apart.
“God,” was all she could muster to come out of her mouth as the ringed fingers made their way up and down her legs. Each time the strokes became rougher, and each time his thumbs came closer and closer to meeting at the top. What would he think of her when they did? Without a doubt, she knew she was wet.

Suddenly he stopped, she opened her eyes, and saw playfulness and wry smile on his face. The tie to her rope was quickly undone, and he slowly moved the material to each side. His eyes left hers and drifted down, lingering on the lace where her nipples were trying to poke through, without ever having been touched. Then suddenly they were being touched. She gasped as he briskly ran his fingertips over them. A jolt of desire shot through her and her body jerked in response. “Like that?” he said and then tweaked each nipple between his forefingers and thumb. She jerked again, a guttural sound came out and she swore she had never made that noise before. She grabbed his wrists, and pushed his hands away.

Draco rose up higher on his knees and easily broke her hold on him. With one finger, he lifted her chin. His stare was cold and his head tilted side to side as if examining an object he was unsure whether he wanted to purchase or not. “I wonder, Cho, what it will take to get you to respond, to want it, to give into it, to beg for it?”

“Maybe you should leave,” she said curtly.

Draco nodded. “Maybe I should, because, Professor Chang, I don’t have sex with students.”

She raised her hand and he grabbed it in mid-air. “No, you’ll not be slapping me. I’ve done nothing wrong. You on the other hand, are acting like a teen-ager. My motives are clear; it’s yours that are not.”

“What?” she exclaimed, but even as she did so, she knew he was right.

Draco snorted and rose to his feet. He shook his head. “Pity, and now you’ll never know what good really means.”

“Good God, Malfoy, you’re so full of yourself.” Cho laughed.

Draco didn’t respond. He continued to stand and stare down at her.

Cho shook her head and closed her robe. “I mean really, did you think I’d just fall at your feet, because you found me worthy to make love to?”

Draco snorted and then laughed derisively. “No, you fool, I was the one at your feet,” he said and then walked towards the hook on the wall holding his cloak. He wrapped the cloak around his shoulders and clasped the silver frogs. “Cho, let me give you a piece of advice, witches and wizards don’t play games like this when they’re our age.”

“It wasn’t a game,” she sputtered, and then mentally kicked herself for saying so. She wrapped her arms tightly around herself. She knew she looked like she was pouting, but at this point she didn’t care.

Draco sighed. “Then what was this all about? Did you think I wouldn’t respect you or something if you gave into your desires?”

“Phht, you don’t know anything about my desires. You only know your own,” she said haughtily and uncrossed her arms to pick her hot chocolate back up. Even cool it tasted nice.

Her eyes narrowed when Draco took two steps back towards her. “No, I don’t know your desires, but right now I’m doubtful that you do either. I was hoping you’d tell me yours, or let me know with some response what you liked. I was paying attention and the only response you gave, was when I was a bit rough.” His lips curled. “Is that it? Do you like it rough, Professor?”

She wanted to yell at him and say of course she knew what she liked, and that no she didn’t like it rough, but the words failed her, because the bastard was right, she didn’t know.

Draco advanced further, his hands rested on the back of the chair he’d been sitting in. His fury had abated, and now he was frankly curious…and concerned. “You know there is nothing wrong with enjoying a little hard play, or even a lot.”

Cho drank the hot chocolate. She wanted the moment to settle her emotions and try to think more clearly. It failed to work. “I don’t know—I don’t know what I like,” she finally mumbled.

Draco face softened even more. “Did you like what I was doing to you?”

She set the mug back down and her fingers fiddled with the handle. She couldn’t look at him now. She had admitted too much and was about to reveal more. “Yes.”

Draco rounded the chair and sat down, asking the obvious question. “Why did you stop me?”

Cho moved her fingers from mug to the candle. One finger passed through the flame. “It felt too good and it scared me. No one has ever done that to me before, and a part of me felt that it was wrong.”

Her eyes glanced quickly up to his face and then returned to the candle’s flame. The hurried look she took, surprised her, he had the little boy smile back. “There’s nothing wrong about feeling pleasure between two adults.”

God, she should know better than to drink alcohol, she thought, as the first tear trickled down her cheek, her emotions were so much harder to keep under control. She didn’t even see his hand move, but somehow his thumb was wiping the drop away.

“I feel so inadequate,” she whispered, “you’re so sure of yourself, and I am not.”

Draco chuckled. “I have my own areas of inadequacies, which my ex-wife would be more than happy to share with you. Having sex is not one of them, though.” Cho grinned.

“Professor,” Draco said.

“Yes,” Cho responded.

“Would you like to find out what you like on the promise that I will respect you?”

Cho’s eye slowly glanced up and looked at his face again. He was sincere. “All you have to do is say stop and I will, but no moving my hands. If you want me to ease up then tell me verbally.”

She smiled, but her voice was unsteady. “But I think I’ve already destroyed the mood.”
Draco laughed harder as he undid his cloak and let it fall to the floor. “That can be easily restored,” he said with a wink and then held out his hand. “Come here.”

Cho started to hesitate as she reached for his hand and then laughed at her hesitation. Draco’s fingers wrapped around her own and he pulled her towards him. At his gesture, she rose and stood before him.

“Take off your robe.”

She obeyed and let it slide down and pool at her feet. His eyes scanned her from head to toe. He reached out touched the hem of negligee and lifted it up, revealing more of her knickers than he could see through the flimsy material. The red lace seemed to please him; the back of his hand ran over the thin strip on each hip. She flinched when his finger pulled back the waistband and let it snap against her skin.

He took her hands and pulled her forward, her legs sliding over him. The first kiss startled her; playful and gentle, the tip of his tongue begging her to dance. His hands slid up her back, around, toying with the lace and then rubbing her nipples. She moaned as his bright head lowered, his tongue tracing her throat, tasted the lace, and swiped over the restrained nub. The first tweak of his fingers made her dig her nails into his shoulders. He took more of her breast into his mouth and let his hands travel to her legs. The initial strokes were soft but hardened as they reached her bum. He grasped each cheek and squeezed them tight. “Fuck,” she blurted out, not caring that she said it.

“Oh, yes,” Draco said as he released her breast, “we’ll get there, later.” The word later stunned her; she was ready now. His hands slowly released her bum and then soft gentle strokes were given before one hand moved to the wet material between her legs. “Oh you do like this. Don’t you?” he asked between making flat-tongued swipes across each breast.

“Yes,” Cho answered breathlessly.

The first touch near her clit made her swear again. His fingers pushed aside the strip of lace and circled their way around the sensitive spot. The sounds of need coming from her mouth stopped as one finger dipped into her hole. She sighed in frustration; she wanted him to continue with the rhythm he had been setting. A second finger joined the other and soon she didn’t care. Whatever the fuck he was doing to her she had never felt before. The two fingers slightly curled inside, began to fuck her. “Holy, fucking, shite,” she spewed forth not knowing she could ever say those words.

Draco laughed and continued with the pace. She found herself rising up and down. A moment of panic struck when she felt the need to pee from the pressure he was exerting within. All she could do was pant and release god awful embarrassing squeals as he continued, and then out of nowhere she felt the build up, it was so different from normal. One small bite to her breast and her whole body quaked as the orgasm rocked through her. Slowly she fell back down onto his lap, her face buried in his shoulder covered in long white hair.

“Now we’re going to fuck,” he whispered in her ear. She couldn’t imagine how she could even make it to the bed on her unsteady legs.

Somehow, she found herself standing up and being thankful that she had his body to balance her. Her heart was still pounding as he led her around the chair and pulled her close. She could feel his erection as their bodies rocked together and she knew she wanted him. Without a word, he turned her around and flexed his hips against her backside. Her hands grasped the back of the chair to brace herself.

“Stay, stay just like that.”

She tried turning to the side to see what he was doing, her long hair blocked her view. “Ouch!” she screamed as his hand swatted her bum.

“I told you to stay like that,” he said roughly.

A current of fear rode through her. She heard his trousers unbuckle, the zip coming down, and then he was behind her. His hands tore her knickers; she winced as he tossed them aside. His knee forced her legs apart, his fingers searched for the hole they had just been in, and then they guided the tip of his cock to her entrance. “This is what I call fucking, Cho,” he said as he pushed in.

She screamed as he impaled her. She wanted to hate him for slapping her, for taking her like this, but how could she when he filled her up and began to thrust, hitting that same spot as before. The movements started slow, but soon the sound of his balls slapping her bum became almost a continuous noise. “Fuck,” she cried out, not understanding how he could be in so deep, and her standing on tiptoes, pushing back, and trying to get even more.

The groans he made were genuine. She was turning him on, he wanted her, and he was enjoying fucking her. The knowledge excited her more and she matched him sound for sound. His hands held her hips tight as her legs began to falter; she had never been pounded into like this. She knew she was climaxing, but she wasn’t sure it would ever end; the waves of ecstasy were unceasing. “Fucking, so good,” Draco mumbled over and over like a mantra, and she could only agree.

**************

Cho’s eyes opened slowly. The sound she was hearing was foreign. All she wanted was more sleep, she glanced at the clock; it was four in the morning. No wonder she was tired, she’d only been asleep for two hours. The sound of heavy breathing increased and she grinned as a few small snores came from the wizard in her bed. She couldn’t fault him, she could only imagine how knackered he was. Still, it surprised her that he was still here.

“Mmm, don’t go,” he mumbled as his arm wrapped around her and pulled her in closer to him. It frightened her at how long it had been since she had a man stay in her bed overnight.

The candle on her bedside table flickered erratically; it was down to the end of its wick. She put her hand in his and brought them joined together between her breasts. The sight of the faded Dark Mark on his arm was intriguing. She knew he hadn’t been a true Death Eater, but still the Mark had been given, and at one time, he wore it with pride. Of course, that had been in his youth and two decades had since passed. She blew out the candle and tried to go back to sleep in pitch-black darkness. But, the thoughts of what they had done, just hours before, kept her awake.

She never had a lover be so demanding, yet understanding. He had said he would help her discover what she liked, and that he did. She liked it all. He had taken her forcefully the first time, but the next time was more tender then she could have imagined. Every inch of her skin was kissed and he brought her to new heights when his mouth was between her legs. He had no qualms about tasting his own come mixed with her juices. Everything seemed natural; there was no shame. His patience extended to his showing her what he liked, and how to please him by taking his prick into her mouth.

She’d always attempted to please her lovers, but none of them ever let her know as Draco had that she’d succeeded. He’d groaned it. Yes. More. Harder. Perfect. Fuck.. And whenever doubt crept back in, she looked at the scorpion tattoo on his chest, over his heart. He could love and love passionately. She could only wonder what brought his wife to cheat on him.

Her eyelids finally drifted down. The hand she was holding slipped to cup her breast. She didn’t know if he was awake or not, but the snoring stopped.

“So good,” he whispered in her ear as her eyes closed once again.

****************

The scent of coffee brought her out of her dreams. She glanced at the bedside table to see a cup with steam rising from it. “I didn’t know what you put in yours,” Draco said. She turned over and smiled, once again amazed that he was still here.

“Black is fine,” she responded.

He was sitting up, with pillows behind his back, reading the Daily Prophet. She had no idea that he wore glasses and quickly decided they looked good on him.

“Anything of interest?” she asked.

A raised brow was his initial response and then he smiled. “Father Christmas came last night. You’ve gifts on the hearth, a stocking full of sweets, and might I ask why you don’t have a tree?”

She tried not to giggle at his crooked grin. It just didn’t fit the man last night who fucked her more times than she could remember. “If I feel the need for holiday spirit I venture down to the Great Hall or the Ravenclaw common room.”

“Tsk, tsk, Professor, the holidays should be celebrated in every room.”

“Every room?”

“Oh, yes, every room. I especially like to celebrate in the shower.”

She gave him a quirky grin, not knowing quite what he was talking about.

He winked at her and then turned the page. It was then she saw the photo of his face on the front page. He looked distraught as he exited the Ministry of Magic yesterday afternoon. The headline, ‘Malfoy Divorce Final’ was plastered across the top.
She reached back behind her and picked up the cup of hot coffee.

“Can I ask what happened? I don’t mean the details, but just in general.”

Draco looked at her quizzically and then saw what she was looking at. He folded up the paper and removed his spectacles, setting both to the side. “She wanted more than I could give. It was both of our faults. It basically came down to the fact that she felt if I loved her enough I would change my ways, and I felt if she loved me enough she wouldn’t ask.”

“Oh,” Cho responded. It was all she could think of to say to something so basic but filled with such depth.

“She liked the lifestyle, but she didn’t like the idea that even though we are a very wealthy family, we don’t hold much respect in the community. She was very envious of those who did, and she wanted me to associate with them. I preferred not to. Unlike my father, I like to keep in the background. I gave to the charities she wanted me to, but I did so anonymously and never appeared at their functions. It drove her crazy that I would do such a thing and not take credit for it. I did love my wife at one time, but that ended years ago.”

“The infidelities, were they true?”

Draco laughed and reached over and stroked her arm. “Oh, they were true, she had a few lovers. It was her way of trying to force my hand to either abide by her wishes or divorce her. I chose neither and chose not have affairs. I didn’t want to the source of another scandal for my family. My parents were very pleased with my decisions and they tried to cater to her whims. In fact, my mother and I were in France looking for a chateau to surprise her with for Christmas. My parents thought that if we moved away it would make it easier on us. I’ve relatives in France and our name is respected there.”

“Did you want to move?”

Draco bit his lower lip and she saw a wry grin trying to break through.

“No. I didn’t, but it would’ve been best for the whole family and for my marriage if I did.”

Cho took another sip of coffee. It was difficult as Draco’s hand began to wonder around her body as he talked, light feathery touches, as if he was exploring her for the first time.

“So what happened?”

“My ex-wife tried to seduce the wrong man; she claimed she had been Imperioused. Because of her accusation, the Aurors became involved and tested all of the family’s wands, showing nothing of the sort happened. It was foolish of her,” Draco said casually, his finger and thumb were now playing with her nipple.

Cho’s interest was piqued, two ways. “Who? I mean, can you tell me who it was?”

Draco took the cup of coffee away from Cho and set it on the bedside table. He slid back down between the sheets and forced his knee between her legs. She really felt the need for a shower and almost said so when she remembered he said he liked to celebrate there. “Come on, tell me in the shower,” she said as she rolled out of bed.

The hot spray felt wonderful, but the hands washing all remnants of the previous nights endeavors, felt even better. She couldn’t help but steal glances at his erection. He seemed not be bothered by it, and she couldn’t resist so she began washing him. Soon she found her back pressed against the marble wall, his knee once again separating her legs. His hands reached down to her bum and then to the backs of her thighs as he lifted her up. Charlie had done this once with her, she loved it, but he never did it again. She wrapped her legs around his waist and helped him guide his dick into her again. “Fuck,” she screamed in pain. She was sore from the night before, but still she wanted him inside her again. The pain subsided and she encouraged him to go deeper. The kiss he gave her was so different from those before, this time there was feelings, she could tell. She kissed him back and relished in his ability to hold her up as he thrust in and out of her aching body.

“Would you like to come to the Manor for New Years Eve dinner?” Draco asked as they towelled off.

The invitation stunned her. She had hoped she would see him again, but she hadn’t expected him to want to see her again. “That’d be lovely,” she responded.

“It was my father,” Draco said as he ran the towel through his hair.

“Your father?” Cho asked, not understanding what he was referring to.

“My wife tried to seduce my father and Mother was not pleased. They begged me to divorce her.

A chill ran up her spine. She looked up at him. His grey eyes gave nothing away.

“Do dress up. I was thinking we might go dancing for the midnight hour,” he said with his crooked smile.

“Draco,” Cho said hesitantly, “did you Imperious your wife?”

Draco shrugged. “Does it matter?”

********************

Cho sat by the fireplace opening each package, her mind barely registering on who had given her what gift. They were all the same as the previous year’s anyway: books, blue and white clothing accessories, special teas, and sweets. Her thoughts were on the wizard who had exited her quarters a half hour ago; she had never been so conflicted. Couldn’t he understand that it did matter if he did an Unforgivable Curse on his wife?
From the moment he said the words a part of the magic she felt between them died. Could she under any circumstance accept that what he did was for the best? Draco’s wife had cheated on him, but Cho knew she only had a cursory understanding of the Malfoy marriage. The competing voices returned.

No, it would never be acceptable.

But, he never said he did do it.

Their kiss good bye was meant to be just a simple one; she’d wanted him out of her quarters as soon as possible. Yet, her body was not listening to her mind. She didn’t stop his hand as it reached inside her robe and cupped her breast. His thumb played with her nipple until it hardened under his touch and then he had left abruptly, leaving her craving for more.

She retrieved the stocking from the mantle and dumped the contents on the floor. It was filled with candy canes and a single wizard cracker. She pulled on both ends of the green and silver wrapped cracker and jumped at the loud noise. After the puff of blue smoke dissipated, a chocolate dragon flew out and landed next to her coffee. She had to laugh as it spit out a spark of fire before curling up and becoming stationary. A note appeared and floated down landing next to the chocolate sweet.

Dear Professor,

The evening was most enjoyable and I look forward to helping you discover more of what you like.

New Years Eve dinner will be served at seven. I’ll escort you to my home at six for cocktails and pleasant conversations.

I imagine that green lace would look spectacular on you.

Merry Christmas,
Draco

Cho set down the note and sighed. The voices were back and screaming loud as each tried to be heard.

“There is no easy answer,” a soft voice said from behind her.

Cho jumped and turned around, wand in hand.

The beautiful lady in grey smiled at her. “No need for that, Professor,” she said as she floated closer.

“I’m sorry ma’am,” Cho mumbled, in shock that the Grey Lady was speaking to her after all of these years.

The ghost seemed to solidify in front of her. Cho could see how young Helena Ravenclaw had been at the time of her death. “I, too, had a passionate affair that others would never have approved of and I can tell you now that the answer you seek is within you.”

Cho shook her head. “I know, but my mind says never to see him again, while another part of me can’t wait until he is in my bed again.”

Helena Ravenclaw gave Cho a soft look of understanding. A sudden thought came to Cho. “Ma’am, is this what happened between you and the Baron?”

“Yes, my dear, and I couldn’t make a wise decision either. What I did do was look for an easy answer and stole my mother’s diadem.”

Cho was frozen in place listening to the words of a love story she knew ended in tragedy. “And what did you learn?”

“Lies—I learned to lie, lie to myself,” the ghost said sadly; she wiped the tears off her face with a strand of her long hair.

“I don’t—I don’t understand,” Cho said. She wanted to do something for the ghostly woman, but offering her a tissue seemed futile.

“Yes, it held great wisdom, but it was void of emotion. I received my answer; logic ruled the day and I left my paramour, my bad boy. It was the correct thing to do, the proper thing to do, and it was the wise thing to do, but it was still the wrong thing to do.”

“I still don’t see…”

Helena continued to wipe her tears away. “It was the right decision for me, but the wrong decision for my love. He was not an evil man, nor was he a righteous one; however, I was the one that kept him emotionally and morally stable. I could not ask him to change, but he would have behaved because of me. I was his moral compass and he lost his way when I left him.”

Cho warmed her coffee with an absent flick of her wand. The demand that he change—Draco had said that last night.

The ghost floated back and forth as if pacing in front of the fire. For small moments, she appeared to be alive when the flames coloured in her image. “I cannot say your situation is the same. However, my Ravenclaw beauty, the Baron thinks it is.”

“So why are you only with him on Christmas Eve?”

Helena laughed and the melodic sound filled the room. “Because, my dear, he killed me. He should have never done that. It was unforgivable, but we do have our dance on Christmas Eve. That is his reward for obeying the rest of the year.”

Cho was silent as she took it in, watched as the Grey Lady glided through the arched door to the hallway. Sipping her coffee, she read the note again.

She wondered where she could purchase green lace…