She'd taken six steps into the restaurant before walking back out again.
Hermione stood in the cool night air outside The Gremlin, blinking quickly and fiddling with her purse. He was here, back in England, back in Diagon Alley.
She'd taken six steps into the restaurant before Draco noticed her.
He rose from the table, downing his firewhiskey and followed her outside.
He walked straight out into the street, looking left and right, before he heard a small voice behind him.
'Malfoy.'
She was leaning against the wall of The Gremlin, wearing a first date red dress and a dark coat. He approached her silently, struck dumb by her close proximity.
'I'm sorry. You surprised me,' she mumbled.
'Weasley set you up then?'
'Yes,' she laughed brightly. 'I suppose she said you were meeting a handsome stranger too?'
'No. She told me it was you.'
'She-?' Hermione's tone changed. 'You knew it was me?'
'Yes. I don't date strangers, Granger.'
Hermione considered him. He was older. He had shadows under his eyes and faint lines around his mouth. His eyes were the same. Less malicious but still familiar.
'What about your enemies?'
He smiled.
'Never.' He extended a hand towards her. 'But I can make an exception.'
Perhaps she was cold. Perhaps she was hungry. Or perhaps she felt an inexorable pull towards Draco Malfoy, but Hermione took his hand and let him lead her inside, where he took her coat, pulled out her chair and paid for dinner.
When they left the restaurant and stood facing each other outside, he leaned in close and whispered against her hair,
'Do you kiss your enemies, Granger?'
'Never,' she replied and pressed her lips to his.
