Uncorked

Chardonnay in 7A

It took only moments, but the anticipation was great. It was a series of five quick twists and then two quick and agile wrist movements; a dance practiced time and again and perfected in the aftermath of war under the shelter of reconciliation. The satisfaction at the release was palpable and the groans of satisfaction as the spoils of this labor were sampled reverberated all around.

It was girls' night at Hermione's flat—and the wine was always good.

"Where do you find this stuff?" Ginny sighed as she took another sip of the golden Chardonnay.

"Oh, who even cares, as long as it continues to fill my glass tonight," Pansy replied already halfway through her first glass.

"No worries there," Hermione said, "Cabi has the best taste in wine and knows we need plenty to keep these little gatherings interesting."

"I still can't believe you have a house elf, Hermione," Angelina laughed.

Hermione couldn't believe it herself. But what was she to do when this precious, and most importantly free elf, offered its services for a very reasonable fee. Cabi had lost her family in the war and was presented clothes by a distant relative who simply 'couldn't be bothered' to see to the welfare of some 'lesser creature.' Hermione had been outraged on Cabi's behalf, and found that Cabi was eager to accept payment for her work and especially gifted at selecting wine.

Cabi's selections had been instrumental in forging a bond between this unconventional group of witches.

It all started innocently enough. Hermione, Ginny and Luna were completing their education at Hogwarts and it was not odd for the three to sneak away to the Shrieking Shack on the occasional Friday evening.

Soon, the Patil twins joined the group, followed by Hannah Abbot and Susan Bones. The most surprising additions still to date had been the three Slytherins, Pansy Parkinson, Daphne Greengrass and her younger sister Astoria. Daphne and Astoria had dragged a vehemently protesting Pansy along; and after a rather lengthy and awkward silence, Pansy presented a bottle of the Parkinson Family's finest along with an apology for her past behaviors. It wasn't immediate, but soon enough, they were all tight friends and a tradition was born. Once they left Hogwarts the group expanded to include Angelina Johnson; and even the Delacour sisters would join some Fridays.

There had been marriages and births; breakups and makeups; accomplishment and failure, but most importantly there had been sisterhood and friendship; it was raucous, it was bawdy at times, but most of all it was judgment free.

…

"So…" Ginny began with a mischievous look in her eye, "Who wants to play a little game tonight?"

"Ugh," Hermione groaned, "can't we just drink and let the conversation lead us in a natural direction?"

"By which she means sex," Pansy clarified.

Snickers of laughter rose up around the group as Hermione shot a dirty look at Pansy. Pansy, however, just laughed and clinked glasses with Ginny.

Hermione huffed in defeat, "Fine, fine, present your little game, oh Depraved One."

Ginny, basking in her victory, stood ceremoniously and announced, "I propose and oldie but a goodie…Never Have I Ever."

Ginny and her theatrics; Hermione couldn't help but to smile at her still youthful enthusiasm.

Ginny continued, "You must drink if you have done the 'Never have I ever' and if details are asked, you must oblige. But as always—Witches' code; nothing leaves this apartment. Now, wands in, ladies"

The others laid their wands on the coffee table in front of them solidifying their oath of secrecy.

"Since we so conveniently have this empty bottle of wine, I'll just spin it to see who among us will go first."

Ginny flicked the green bottle with practiced ease. "Done that before, have you?" Angelina teased.

"Some of my fondest memories have occurred because of a spin of the bottle," Ginny replied with a wistful sigh.

The bottle spun for quite some time, giving the ladies a chance to sip their wine and thus lower their inhibitions even more.

Finally, it stopped spinning on Hannah Longbottom nee Abbott. She blushed as she took a fortifying sip of her wine. Clearing her throat, Hannah decided on a topic, "Never have I ever been caught out in the Library at Hogwarts…"

…

Eyes darted around the circle as confessions were made through drink.

Everyone was there this evening.

Angelina, Pansy and Ginny all drank to no one's surprise since they were the randiest women the others had ever met. Even Fleur took a tentative sip of her wine as eyes continued around the circle.

Verily their eyes landed on Hermione as she casually sipped form her glass. She closed her eyes savoring the soft nuanced vintage; the notes of apple and nectarine caressing her tongue while the rich hints of oak and vanilla lingered on her palate. As she opened her eyes, she was met with the amused gazes of the women around her. Hermione didn't have to delve deep into her brain to bring up memories of her times in the Hogwarts Library, those both academic and, let's just say more—elucidating in nature.

"Well, well, well, looks who's a naughty little bookworm," Pansy sang, "I would have thought it was against your strict know-it-all code to get busy in the Library."

"I'm not the one who initiated anything in public places," Hermione defended.

"All right, Hermione," Ginny bade, "We simply must know more. Did he pencil in some romance on your revision schedule? Oh, I know! He recited arithmantic equations until you just ripped his shirt off? Or what about—"

"Stop!" Hermione scolded. "I will tell you about it if only so you don't harbor any misinformation."

"Excellent! Now spill."

Hermione huffed, knowing she was obliged to bring forth a salacious memory, but she wasn't too troubled; after all, he had been a surprising and pleasant diversion in the aftermath of war and he continued to surprise her to this day.

…

Hogwarts Library 1999

Looking back, it may have been a mistake to grant Hermione Granger unregulated library access.

She could be found in the library at almost any time of day.

Professor McGonagall was not particularly worried about this since she trusted that Hermione was beholden to the rules and regulations that governed the precious Hogwarts' collection and she knew that no other student, past or present, barring perhaps herself, had taken such care and pride with the offerings.

It was with these thoughts in mind that she sought out her favorite student and subsequently found her in the library; embroiled in a scenario that the Headmistress would have never imagined; not that she imagined her students in this way at all.

…

Hermione really was there to study. Really; she needed to brush up on The Goblin Rebellions of 1337 before her N.E.W.T.S.

She was in the history aisle of the restricted section when he found her, so her story was plausible, but as soon as he laid his hands on her hips, she knew the Goblins would have to wait.

Hermione was so turned on by his touch that she almost purred when his hands roamed beneath her oxford and added their warmth to her instantly heated skin; but she sincerely hoped that she could persuade him to move his amorous intentions to a more private and thus more comfortable locale.

"So, my little lioness," he spoke in her ear relishing the involuntary shiver that his voice elicited, "have you been keeping up with your studies?"

"You know I have. You regularly remind me of what an insufferable swot I am," Hermione replied not one to disappoint in a verbal spar, even in the heat of passion.

He chuckled huskily in her ear before playfully biting her earlobe as he started to release the buttons of her shirt to grant him better access to what lay beneath.

Hermione sighed prettily as he lightly ghosted his hands up her stomach and over her satin bra; her nipples hardening at the teasing. She knew she should try to dissuade him, but he was just so bloody convincing.

He knew in such a public arena that removing clothes entirely was inadvisable, but he couldn't deny himself access to two of the most appealing mounds of flesh he's ever had the privilege to have in his hands…or his mouth.

He kneaded her breasts gently, gradually building the heat he knew was just below the surface. She moaned quietly and pushed her delectable rear against his hips; pushing harder when she felt his anticipatory excitement.

"And just what do you have under your skirt, Miss Granger?" He asked.

"I think you know what's under there already," she scolded while turning in his arms. "Seeing as my knickers have been in your pocket since after Runes this morning."

He chuckled lightly, but couldn't contain the sexy smirk that rose unbidden at the thought of their tryst in the alcove on the fourth floor. "Well what can I say, Princess, when I see the little wrinkle you get between your eyes when you solve a particularly complicated translation I must have you immediately."

She giggled, actually giggled; this man was turning her into a swooning teenage girl. Though in all fairness she had missed her chance to be a proper swooning teenage girl in the previous seven years so she was taking back her youth. "Does my intellect cause this reaction in every circumstance, or just with ancient runes?"

"Oh, I can assure you, you stimulate me in all circumstances,"

"Well, in that case could you initiate these encounters in more comfortable settings? A room with a bed? Perhaps a couch? I'd even be willing to entertain the idea of the grassy knoll by the Black Lake," she offered.

"I'll consider some of those suggestions," he said as he closed the distance between them and finally sealed their lip together in a kiss.

Any more banter they might have exchanged was promptly silenced as their tongues became occupied in exploration of each other's mouths. Their hands were equally engaged as they explored each other over and under clothes.

Hermione loosened his tie and then freed the buttons of oxford so she could run her fingers along the ridges of his quidditch defined muscles. She pulled her hips away from his just long enough to release the button and zipper of his trousers and pull his boxer briefs down just enough to free his cock.

The loud moan that came from Hermione was unavoidable as he pulled her leg over his hip and pushed her firmly into the shelf of history books; the uncomfortable feel of the shelf in her back notwithstanding, his arousal was rubbing her clit in the most satisfying way.

"Quiet, love," he chuckled darkly, "you wouldn't want us to be discovered, would you?"

His smirk grew more sinister as he took in her dilated pupils and panting breaths, "Or perhaps you want to get caught, you naughty girl, you," he teased.

She growled in wanton frustration as she nipped at his lower lip. Seeing, and feeling, that he had her precisely where he wanted her, he pulled his hips back just so and thrust forth to enter her in one swift and well-practiced motion.

Mutual groans of fulfillment emanated from their throats as they came together here in the stacks.

Hermione threw both arm around his neck and slung her other leg over his hip as he hoisted her up by her backside.

He had to do a little more work this way, but he was young and still had the strength and stamina to support this sexy witch while he thrust into her letting the miracle of gravity do the work to help her grind down against him providing her clit with that oh so delectable friction he knew she craved.

And it was there that Headmistress McGonagall found them; shirts open and bodies connected intimately as their panted breaths and sighed declarations carried from the history aisle and into the entrance of the Restricted Section.

…

In hindsight perhaps she stood there silent a bit longer than was strictly necessary, but as soon as she regained her composure she set about reprimanding the couple.

"Mr. Malfoy! Miss Granger!" Headmistress McGonagall shouted.

Hermione buried her face in Draco's chest and he immediately stilled his hips as the Headmistress's voice broke through the haze of lust surrounding them.

"I will allow the two of you a moment to right yourselves before meeting me at the library entrance," she said as she spun on her heel and walked away.

Draco set Hermione on the ground gently and set about tucking himself back in to his pants and righting his shirt buttons and tie. Hermione adjusted her bra, set her skirt to rights and began to button her blouse.

Draco could see the crimson bloom of embarrassment on Hermione cheeks; knowing that she respected the headmistress and simply grasped her trembling hands and helped her finish her buttons.

Hermione looked up at him, that sweet bottom lip between her teeth and that desperate look in her eyes. How she could be afraid of being reprimanded for some normal teenaged hijinks, he'd never know, but after everything they had been through, a reprimand for a little library hanky panky felt wonderfully normal.

Draco interlaced their fingers, placed a sweet kiss on Hermione's forehead and watched as she tentatively smiled at him.

Staying quiet, Hermione nodded quickly to indicate she was ready to face the music.

…

Minerva McGonagall was an intimidating witch in the best of circumstances, but standing at the library entrance with her arms crossed over her chest and an unamused look on her face she was positively terrifying.

Hermione looked contrite enough for the two of them, but Draco had the good sense to at least attempt a humbled expression. The execution was somewhat elusive as Malfoys weren't exactly proficient at humble; arrogant, supercilious, pompous—but never humble.

The two students stood silently in front of the Headmistress as she sighed in surrender. "I could give the two of you detention, or even write home to your parents, but seeing as the pair of you are of age—"

"It won't happen again Headmistress," Hermione offered quickly.

"Well, I'm sure that it will happen again Miss Granger, it's not the first time a student has been caught out, but I would prefer if the two of you could keep your activities private in the future."

"Yes, headmistress," they answered together.

And with a perfunctory nod of her head, Minerva McGonagall stepped aside and motioned for the couple to exit the library.

Draco reflected on the fact that being put out of the library was a worse punishment than any detention Hermione could have received.

…

Minerva McGonagall watched them walk away. She smiled as she observed Draco Malfoy, the pureblooded scion of a still formidable family, draw the petite and feisty Muggleborn closer to his side and place a sweet kiss to the top of her curly head. She saw the sweet look of adoration that Hermione bestowed upon Draco as he calmed her embarrassment.

The road to rebuilding the wizarding world was going to be a long one, this Minerva knew for certain; but she was pleased to see the first steps along the path being placed by this unlikely pair.

Though she was less introspective about reconciliation later that evening when the aforementioned pair stumbled into the Great Hall brushing leaves from their uniforms and pulling twigs from their hair.

These damnable kids were going to be the death of her sanity.

…

"So that's it." Hermione shrugged.

"Pu-leeese! Surely the two of you christened the library more than once?" Pansy scoffed.

Hermione innocently took a sip of her wine. "I didn't say it was the only time...just one time we got caught."