Hermione kept her eyes downcast as he tugged her to the exit. She tried to find Viktor just before the door closed, but his back was turned to them.

The two of them strode down the hallway, Hermione dragging in her heels. She waited until they were a safe distance from the guard before she whispered, "Why did you bring me in there?"

"You were requested, Miss Granger," he muttered out of the side of his mouth. "I could only put off Eleni for so long." They were almost at the end of the hall when he yanked her even closer. "Have you spoken with Viktor Krum since Hogwarts?"

She felt her skin prick, her breath stop. She had half-a-second to decide—

"No. Not since fourth year."

She glanced up at him and found his lips pressed together, displeased. And she noticed their pace quicken.

They re-entered the Lounge, passing the gambling tables and crossing efficiently to the couches where Draco and the boys sat. Draco's eyes locked on them from the moment they stepped through the door, but he made no move to greet them or retrieve her.

Lucius waltzed over with her, and with a firm shove, she tumbled into Draco's lap. She braced for a fall, but Draco caught her, tugging around her ribs.

"Your whore is mouthy," Lucius spat. "Take her home and discipline her. Or I will."

He smoothed his robes and lifted a meaningful brow.

"Yes, Father."

With a final haughty glare at her, Lucius spun on his heel and swept from the Lounge.

Draco quickly made to stand, but Hermione slipped her hands around his shoulders and buried her face into his neck. She kissed his skin over and over until she felt muscles relax. Her heart pounded as she nuzzled closer, making her way up to his earlobe. "Please," she whispered, "Remember the note."

It had taken her a full day to tell him. She had worried he'd be too nervous to take her to Edinburgh if he knew. When she'd finally come clean, he'd simply plucked the note from her with a scowl, dismissing her theories with a disinterested hum.

Perhaps he was still angry about it. Maybe that's why he'd gone so stiff.

After several more painful moments, he finally shifted. He curled an arm around her waist and pulled back to hold her chin with the other. "You'll be good?" he said, loud enough for the boys to overhear. "No more misbehaving?"

She nodded eagerly and leaned forward to kiss him. He caught her jaw and lifted his brows.

"Will you?" he prompted.

She cast her eyes down and licked her lips for the boys. "Yes, sir."

There was chuckling and catcalling, and then Draco brought her mouth to his. She shifted in his lap as she kissed him, crossing her legs as she scooted up his thighs.

Her mind spun as his hand started to stroke her thigh. She needed to find a way to get back to Viktor. Perhaps she could ask Draco to—