TITLE: A Fresh Start
WORD COUNT: 299
DISCLAIMER: This all belongs to J.K. Rowling
A/N: A hearty thanks to my friend and beta, MystressXoXo. Without her invaluable advice, I wouldn't be half the writer I am today. This was written for DynoDrabbles. The prompts were "Draco, Hermione 'anything but roses and chocolate'".
It was silly to feel glum today. Hermione knew that in her head; her heart was a different matter altogether, though. It seemed every year was still just as hard to get through. As a result, she was too busy feeling sorry for herself to watch where she was walking. Her arm hit someone, and before she knew it, her lunch was sprawled all over the ground.
"Granger?"
Hermione looked up to see the blond hair and gray eyes of a man from her past. Her face burned with embarrassment. "Malfoy," she acknowledged. "Sorry about that. I wasn't paying attention."
"Hey, no problem." He smiled. "Can I get you something to make up for that? I heard the quiche is excellent here, and I would enjoy the company."
Hermione's mouth fell open. Malfoy? Being nice? She had heard that he was different now, but she couldn't believe it. "Sure," she heard herself say, "anything but chocolate or roses would be great." She wanted to kick herself for her wayward tongue. Her face burned brighter, if that were possible.
Draco cocked an eyebrow. "Roses?"
Hermione winced. "It's a Muggle thing. Today is Valentine's Day. I'm a little... preoccupied about it. Just—forget it."
Draco quirked a smile—when did he get so devastatingly handsome?—and offered his arm. "I'll promise you no roses and chocolate today, but I can promise you a nice lunch if you will but sit and talk with me. What do you say, Hermione? Care to chance it?"
Hermione searched his face and felt her heart give a little flip. I must be crazy! Feeling impulsive, she smiled back and took his arm. "I'd be delighted."
It turned out to be the best Valentine's quiche she'd ever had.