Hermione fumbled for a soft bath towel and a long-handled soft-bristled brush, holding them like they were hot potatoes.
With her eyes closed and guided by instinct, she wet the brush and then shakily reached it toward what was probably his back...
"A little to the left... yes, right there, it's a bit sore." Draco directed, his voice tinged with a satisfied sigh.
Hermione's face was burning hot; she kept her eyes tightly shut and mechanically followed his instructions, gently brushing his back.
Through the water and the brush bristles, she could vaguely see the firm, smooth lines of the skin beneath her hands and its warm temperature. This sensation made her fingers go weak and her heart pound so fast it almost wouldn't stop.
The steam, carrying the fresh scent of bath products, filled the air between the two, creating an ambiguous and unsettling atmosphere.
"A little higher... yes, around the shoulder blade... mmm, feels good..." Draco felt very comfortable.
Each sigh of relief felt like a feather brushing against Hermione's heart, making her so ashamed that she just wanted this torturous punishment to end as soon as possible.
"Is it... is it done yet?" Hermione urged softly.
"What's the rush? Take your time. There's still some dust here that hasn't been washed off..." Draco deliberately delayed, even leaning back so that his broad back almost touched her hand.
Before she could even touch it, Hermione recoiled as if electrocuted, and the brush fell into the water with a thud.
"Ah!" she exclaimed, opening her eyes to look for the brush, only to find Draco's face half-turned to the side.
Then I met his eyes, which held a playful smile, and his handsome profile shrouded in mist...
And the faint outline of a chest visible beneath the water's surface...
"Boom!"
Hermione's mind went completely blank, as if it had been blown up; her cheeks flushed bright red, and it felt like all the blood had rushed to her head!
She suddenly turned around again, covering her eyes tightly with her hands, her voice trembling with sobs and shame:
" Draco Malfoy! You, you're a scoundrel! I quit! You wash it yourself!"
Behind him came Draco's deep, cheerful laughter and the sound of splashing water; he seemed to have stood up.
This frightened Hermione so much that she dared not move, her eyes tightly shut, feeling the moisture and heat approaching from behind.
The next moment, a large bath towel with a fresh scent was gently draped over Hermione's shoulders, which were trembling with nervousness.
Immediately afterwards, she was pulled into a warm, refreshing embrace filled with moisture. Draco had already quickly used magic to dry himself off and changed into clean pajamas.
"Alright, I won't tease you anymore." Draco's satisfied laughter rang in her ear. "My little maid did a good job tonight. Punishment over. Now, it's your turn!"
"Me... what?"
Hermione covered her eyes, still not quite understanding.
Draco gently pulled her hands away from her eyes. "You need to take a good shower and relax. You've been fighting all night and running around with me, you must be covered in dust and sweat. How can you sleep comfortably if you don't wash yourself clean?"
He gently placed her on the edge of the bathtub and then took out a set of soft and comfortable pajamas and placed them on the low stool next to her.
"Don't worry, I absolutely won't peek."
Hermione was still feeling ashamed and indignant about his previous ambiguous back-brushing remarks, so she was somewhat confused when she heard this.
They unconsciously lowered their guard a little.
She looked at Draco with a suspicious gaze.
Has this bastard finally had a change of heart?
However, just as that tiny spark of trust was beginning to ignite in her eyes,
Draco abruptly changed the subject.
"I will only... look openly and honestly."
"Go to hell!"
Hermione was so angry she was incoherent, unable to think of any more vicious words to describe this utterly despicable guy!
You won't peek? You'll only look openly!
What's the difference?! No, the difference is huge! More shameless! More... ashamed!
She wanted to jump up and give him a Silencing Charm right then and there.
But Draco maintained his wicked grin and continued in a malicious tone, "Or... does my little maid need a return gift? Let me scrub your back? Don't worry, I'll be much more attentive and thorough than you were just now..."
With each word he spoke, Hermione's face grew even redder.
"Moreover, I will keep a close watch without moving an inch, never leaving your side for a moment, and I will see it much more clearly and thoroughly than you do."
"You—! You scoundrel! You pervert! Don't even think about it!" Hermione shoved him away abruptly, hugging herself tightly with both arms.
Her face flushed crimson, and her voice rose even higher, "I'll wash myself! You—you get out! Now! Right now! Otherwise—otherwise I'll...I'll use a spell to kick you out!"
Seeing how eager she was to disappear immediately, Draco finally couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, alright, I'll go out!"
Draco chuckled as he backed away, "I won't disturb Miss Granger's bath. However..."
Reaching the bathroom door, he turned back, winked at Hermione, and resumed his serious tone. "If you need a back scrub, just call me anytime. Quality guaranteed, no cheating, especially for a certain shy little witch... it's free for life."
"Get out! Draco Malfoy!" Hermione grabbed a soft bath sponge and threw it at him.
Unfortunately, his aim was too poor, and he only hit the door frame.
Draco laughed and dodged, closing the bathroom door behind him. He then walked outside and sat down comfortably, the barely suppressed smile on his lips showing that he was in a very good mood.
Inside the bathroom, Hermione listened to Draco's voice fading into the distance outside the door, then glanced at the closed bathroom door and relaxed.
So he slowly took off his robe.
Step into the warm and comfortable bath.
The warm water enveloped my tired body, bringing an ultimate sense of relaxation, but the heat on my face hadn't subsided.
She buried her face in the water, trying to cool it down, but Draco's wicked grin kept echoing in her mind.
"That bastard... scoundrel..." Hermione muttered softly, rubbing her burning cheeks vigorously.
However, she knew that Draco wouldn't actually do anything to embarrass her; his thoughtfulness and respect were hidden beneath those seemingly frivolous jokes.
Leaning against the edge of the pool, enjoying the soothing warmth of the hot water,
My eyelids gradually felt heavy. I had experienced too much today, which had exhausted my energy and vitality.
Just as she was drifting off to sleep, there was a gentle knock on the bathroom door.
" Hermione?" Draco's worried voice came through the door. "You've been showering for a long time, did you fall asleep?"
Hermione jolted awake, realizing she had almost fallen asleep in the bathtub. She quickly responded:
"N-nothing! I'm coming out!"
She hurriedly climbed out of the bathtub, quickly dried her body and hair with magic, and changed into the light blue pajamas.
The pajamas fit perfectly. Looking at her much refreshed face in the mirror, Hermione took a deep breath and opened the bathroom door.