"No... we really can't go any higher!" Hermione jolted and immediately grabbed his restless hand.
"Alright," Draco stopped his upward movement, instead sliding his hand downwards, probing towards a more dangerous area.
"Then... is it okay to go in the opposite direction?"
"No!" Hermione arched her back, frantically grabbing his other, mischievous hands, her voice a mixture of shame and urgency, a soft protest.
"Nowhere is acceptable!" Her toes curled up nervously under the covers, her whole body tense like a taut string.
Sensing Hermione's extreme tension and resistance, Draco timely stopped all downward movements, his hand obediently halting, but he did not intend to give up.
"If we don't touch anywhere else, then... a kiss on your neck, is that alright? I didn't say anything about it being off-limits here."
The scorching breath sent shivers down Hermione's spine.
Even my head is feeling dizzy, and my neck... seems to be able to tolerate it a little bit better than other parts of my body?
So she grasped Draco's hand, unconsciously loosening her grip and letting it hang limply at her side, a tacit agreement.
She subconsciously tilted her head to the side, trying to avoid his warm breath approaching, but the slender, fair skin of her neck was completely exposed.
Draco's lips landed on the most sensitive patch of skin on the side of her neck, leaving a faint imprint after the gentle touch.
"Mmm..." Hermione couldn't help but let out a soft moan, her body going limp in his arms.
The intimate contact earlier had already thrown her into a state of confusion, and now Draco's wicked kiss on her neck only made her more disoriented and infatuated.
However, just as she was immersed in this...
The sensation of their bodies pressed tightly together made her suddenly realize that something was wrong; Draco was about to rebel again.
"Move aside a little... You're poking me..." Hermione said, feeling incredibly ashamed and angry, as she tried to struggle away!
One step, two steps, like the devil's steps.
"Ugh--" Hermione let out a muffled groan, her body tensing up again, her toes curling up tightly inside the blankets.
It felt like an electric current, instantly coursing through her spine and spreading throughout her body, sending waves of tingling shivers down her spine.
"Don't move..."
"Not even one layer? Honey, your requirements are too strict." Draco stopped moving, but remained pressed close.
"No means no!" Hermione was mortified, a strange reaction making her both panicked and frightened. "Because it itches..."
"So, were you wrong? Are you still questioning your husband?" Draco said, gently biting her ear.
"... I was wrong." Hermione knew that if she didn't admit her mistake, this guy definitely wouldn't let it go and might torture her in some way.
"I will never question it again..."
"That's more like it!" Draco released her ear.
The two hugged quietly for a while, but unexpectedly, the temperature inside the blankets kept rising. Draco sighed helplessly and irritably, "Time is passing so slowly!"
"Slow down, that's fine. Stop thinking about that!" Hermione knew what he meant, her face burning even hotter, and she scolded him.
"But it's so hot, and everyone's so irritable!" Draco leaned closer. " Miss Granger, can't you feel it?"
"How about..." Draco grabbed her hand...
Upon hearing this, Hermione was torn between two conflicting thoughts and finally conceded. "... Then only a little bit is allowed, no pushing your luck."
"My wife, you're so good to me!"
"Turn off the lights first..."
"Okay!" Draco said impatiently, turning off the lights with the Deluminator.
"Just like Wandlore..." he taught.
"Shut up!"
Hermione is naturally cautious.
"Hiss..." Draco couldn't help but gasp.
Hermione was startled by his unconscious groan and warned in a panicked whisper, "Don't shout..."
After a long while, the lights were turned on, and magic: Scourgify.
The two lay quietly in bed...
Actually, Hermione was just too embarrassed...
Draco lay on his side, his arm around her waist, and exclaimed sincerely, " Granger a genius; his learning ability is truly remarkable."
These words were meant as a compliment, but they instantly reminded Hermione of the scene from just moments ago, and her cheeks burned again.
She rudely covered his mouth, angrily hissing in a low voice, "Shut up! I told you to shut up, didn't you hear me!"
Draco nodded, Hermione released him.
"When is the next time?" he asked greedily.
Hermione, her mind still a jumbled mess and amplified by the voice in the darkness, felt her cheeks flush back up when she heard his insatiable question.
"I'm not coming anymore, my wrist is so sore. You'll have to figure it out yourself next time!" She rubbed her wrist and complained irritably.
"You just said it would be better to go slowly, why are you changing your mind now?" Draco laughed, misinterpreting her words.
"I'm talking about time! Regular time! Who said anything like that! You shameless bastard!" Hermione exclaimed.
"I was talking about time," Draco said innocently.
"You—!" Hermione was furious at his words.
Can't you be serious for once?!
"Okay, okay, I'm not being silly." Draco's joking expression vanished, replaced by an expectant tone. "Then... next time?"
"... That depends on your performance." Hermione remained firm, offering only a vague and uncertain answer.
"Performance? What performance?" Draco immediately perked up and pressed, "Is it the kind of 'performance' you're showing today? Or something else? Please give me a clear indication, Miss Granger."
What's the rush! We'll talk about it later.
"What's the rush! We'll talk about it later! Now, go to sleep!" Hermione was amused by his impatient manner.
"Alright!" Draco feigned disappointment, but was inwardly overjoyed. Hermione had already promised a next time, so how could she run away now?
The room quieted down, with only the sound of their breathing gradually calming down. But some things cannot be completely forgotten just because of physical intimacy and temporary reconciliation.
After a while, Hermione stirred gently in his arms and brought up the source of all the misunderstandings that had occurred that evening.
"So... what do you plan to do about Diana?"
"Let's talk about it tomorrow, honey." Draco wasn't bothered by the matter. "It's too late now; there's no point in saying anything now. Let's see what she thinks when she wakes up tomorrow, and then decide whether to help."
He hugged Hermione tighter as he spoke, "I don't want to think about these things tonight. I just want to hold you and get a good night's sleep."
He didn't want to discuss another woman, especially one who had caused such a huge uproar, in the atmosphere of their recent "reconciliation," as that would disrupt the rare tranquility and intimacy they shared.
Feeling the warmth of his embrace, Hermione finally nodded gently, temporarily suppressing all her concerns. She snuggled closer to him and whispered, "... Okay."