A/N: Hey pplz!!!! This is my first fanfic so bear with me k? Enjoy!!!!!!
Disclaimer:
Me: I own Harry Potter and all the other characters.
Lawyer: (In a robot-sounding voice) No You Don't. J.K. Rowling owns all of the characters.
Me: Alright, alright. (weeps) J.K. Rowling owns all of these (sniffs) marvelous characters. I only own the plot. I'm BROKE!!!!!!!
Chapter 1- How It Started
"Hurry up, will you?!" Harry's muffled voice yelled through the back of my closet. Geez, doesn't that man know what patience means? I mean, give a woman space for goodness sake!
"Alright, alright!" I grumbled. Harry could just be so… impatient at times. Jerking back to my senses, I quickly glanced around my closet. Well, there are always my lavender robes, but they're just so… plain. My cashmere sweater is always cute but way too hot. (The weather hot, not the other hot.) For once in my life, me ,Hermione Granger, 25 years old and a graduate of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, with perfect NEWT scores, the winner of the Best Doctor in Medicine award, and has been picked Witch of the Month countless of times, was absolutely clueless when given the following question to answer- What to wear? I mean, boys are always thinking that girls waste so much time in picking out the right outfit, but it's more then just clothes. It has to do with your emotions, of how you're feeling today or at that time. For example, when you see a witch walking down the streets dressed in pink robes, you could tell that she is very bubbly and/or excited. Of course you can never be extremely sure, but the what-color-or-style-outfit-she-is-wearing system was proven that it could be quite accurate at times.
"Hermione!!! I don't have all the time in the world you know!!!" Harry shouted again. I rolled my eyes. Hey, I don't have all the time in the world either. Not bothering to look again, I was about to leave until something glittery caught the corner of my eye. It was wedged in the corner between my so-called "business" pants and shirt. I gently pulled it out, causing some glitter to fall off. An elegant strapless dress with real glitter slowly unfolded as I slipped it on, the silky fabric sweeping my skin with ease and comfort. I tore off the white price tag off, reading it to be exactly 108 galleons. Designer Label. Wow! I didn't even recall buying it.
"Hermione!!!!!!!" Harry yelled in his loudest voice ever.
"I'm coming!!!!!!" I confidently pushed apart the wooden doors.
"What in the World were you…?" Harryraised his eyebrows.
"Marvelous isn't it?! I found it in the corner of my closet," I beamed at myself. "I got it from a muggle store about two years ago. Never really used it till now." I spun around slowly, letting Harry admire the beauty. (Well the dress, not me.)
"Yeah, well sorry, I just never thought I would ever see Hermione Granger, the famous bookworm, in a strapless dress. Well, that's just me." He shifted and nervously ran his fingers through his always-messy-black-hair. "Don't take this personally or anything, but we should do something about your hair."
I lightly punched him and rolled my eyes. "Look who's talking," I teased. "Anyway, my hair has always been like this. No one really cares as long as they look good. Who cares on what I look like?" I retorted. I mean, Mr. Harry Potter, also known as the Boy Who Lived, who is one of my two best friends, who graduated with nearly-perfect scores, though not as perfect as I wanted it to be, since he (Coughcough) didn't study, cares sooooo much about how the most famous doctor currently (a.k.a. me) looked. Not that I'm bragging or anything. Ok, so not the most famous, but at least one of the top ten.
"Wow Hermione, I'm deeply flattered," Harry said in his best gentlemen voice, while bowing gracefully (which was scary). I blinked. Did I really say all of that out loud? Geez,( I seem to be saying that a lot, aren't I?) that was my first time I've ever, in the history of mankind, did that. No more repeats of history from now on. I better not spill any more secrets (not that I (cough) really (cough) have any.)
"But most unfortunately," Harry continued in that sticky sweet voice of his, "We don't want your first blind date to be a disaster, do we now?"
"Well, who cares?! I believe I would want someone who loves me for who I am, not how I look. Anyway, this blind date was your idea, not mine," I finished definitely.
"Ok, you got me, but just to make sure it's NOT a disaster, let's run through the schedule one more time." Harry took out a piece of paper from his front pocket and recited, "Ok, from:
7:30- 8:30 PM: Eat dinner at The Rose.
8:45- 9:30: Relax at a 5-star spa center at Avery Water Garden.
9:30-10:30: Do whatever you want."
Harry lowered the schedule and gave a cute little grin. "So now that we're all settled and not confused, let's fix your hair, and go."
"Fine," I grumbled reluctantly. I've heard that schedule at least ten times. "But I still don't like the hot tub part. Who would want to 'relax' in a spa thingy with someone you only knew for one hour?"
Harry gave me another cute little grin. "You don't have to take your clothes off or anything." I winced, and he continued, "As a matter of fact, you know this person for seven years. He went to Hogwarts with us. Trust me, you'll know him." Seeing my horrified expression, he hastily added, "And it's NOT Ron if that's what you were thinking about. He's in Africa, busy handling those Welsh dragons." Harry shuddered. "Nasty burns he got. He showed me a big one on his right arm, right above his elbow. I'm glad I never took up dragon-training. One of the most dangerous jobs around."
Harry quickly glanced at his silver watch (for the thousandth time). "C'mon Hermione, we better get going; it's already 7! Isn't there some spell for tamed hair or something?!"
I glared at him, but muttered a spell anyway. Harry just watched as all of my out-of-placed hairs smoothed itself, leaving me with silky glowing hair. I quickly tied it into a bun.
"Happy now?" I grabbed his arm and dragged him out the door. "Let's just get this over with."
I finally let go when we reached the street corner, and he stumbled to regain his balance, nearly tripping over a cat, whose eyes looked eerie in the dark.
"Oh, Crookshanks!" I half scolded, half cooed. He had one of the biggest rats I've ever seen clamped in his mouth and was looking at me rather proudly. I petted him gently, with him purring softly in my ear. I had let him out for he was soo impatient inside, always knocking over flower pots and bringing back dead birds/rats that he caught. He's been gone over a week, giving me four whole days of nonstop worrying.
I was about to give his furry little head a kiss until I realized it was covered with dirt and mud. "Oh, my baby cat, did you get dirty?" I cooed and tickled his belly. "Harry, I have to give Crookshanks a bath. Could you hold on for a few minutes?" Ididn't bother to look up anyway, so it didn't really matter."Ok little Crookshanks, mommy's going to give you a nice bubble bath. Do you like that?" I hugged him as I walked back to my house.
Harry's POV
I watched her go. God, this sounds like one of those old-fashion love movies. Now we'll be at least 20 minutes late. Damn, why did I even let her go?! I thought angrily to myself. I started pacing back and forth, occasionally looking up to see if she's coming back. "Get yourself together, now." I said out loud. Maybe I'm going crazy. Well, might as well get the Knight Bus here. I doubt that she'll be very pleased with the transportation.
I raised my wand hand and waited patiently, oh aright, impatiently for it to come. Without a second to spare, I saw the familiar purple triple Decker bus come into view. The conductor jumped out and said his usual speech, finally asking me what I want (the usual hot chocolate, toothbrush, or regular bedding). I paid for two mugs of hot chocolate, figuring Hermione would want one too, after having to bath Crookshanks in cold water at the very last minute.
I looked at my silver watch again (for the 1,001th time as Hermione might say). Where in the world is that woman?!!!!!!!
Hermione's POV
I rushed outside again, my heels clanking on the sidewalk. Crookshanks got me all wet, but with a little bit of magic, anything's possible. Such as drying me up.
I finally spotted the Knight Bus, and I quickly jumped up, arriving just in time for Harry to hand me a mug of hot chocolate. "Where to?" the driver out front asked. "The Rose, please," Harry replied. The bus lurched forward, causing me to spill half of my cup onto the mattress.
"Don't worry," said the conductor, seeing my annoyed look. "That happens all the time. We once had an old lady's teeth come out. The mattresses that we have absorbs everything up and cleans themselves. But unfortunately, the teeth are still in there." The conductor shook his head. "Poor ladycouldn't tell us whatshe wanted, but we sorted it through in the end.What's down there stays down there."
"Well surely you can get them out can't you?" I implored. "I mean, what about jewelry? Or peoples' valuables? That'll cost them a fortune."
The conductor shook his head. "Don't worry dear. The mattresses only absorb liquids, not things. The teeth were just an exception. We never had any other incidents, before. Anyway, here's The Rose. You guys have fun, alright?!"
Harry and I thanked him, and we got off. The Rose was the most beautiful restaurant I've ever seen. Hedges of roses surrounded the French building, with lush reds, whites, oranges, and pinks. Elegant fountains and statues were scattered among the vivid flowerbeds.Wroght iron gates closed off different parts of the garden and courtyards, some especially reserved, while others for the public. Thiswas the fanciest place I had ever seen.
There was just one problem:I can't do this alone. I was so plain, so gray among these vibrant colors. Who is this blind date? What if he hates me? A million questions sprinted across my mind and back, annoying the heck out of me. I gripped Harry's arm, nervously. Surely it can't be that bad?
Harry's POV
"Hermione!!!!" I yelled while gently nudging her. "C'mon Hermie… Not now," I pleaded. After what seemed like an hour, shesnapped out of her gaze.She blinked once, twice, and a few times after that until she registered what was going on. "Before you ask," I said, "you completely zoned out for five minutes. It was really creepy."
Hermione got up and slowly looked around. The Rose's lights glowed softly in the background. "Huh?," came the so-called intelligent answer.
"It's OK." I grasped her firmly. "I bet you're just nervous. You never have dated anyone before this. Trust me, it's a lot of fun."
I led her over to the front gate. "Stay here, ok? I'm going to check in, and get the number. Wait till he comes."
Hermione's POV
There he went without telling me who the 'he' is. Blast him! I will never ever go on a blind date ever again. Ever! I promise.
Harry came out again, handing me a red rose with little beads of light framing it. "It'll ring when your table's ready. If he comes a little bit late, just go. I've already told him where you're sitting." Harry smiled. "And if you excuse me, Ginny and I have some unfinished business to do." After leaving me with these last thoughts, he disapperated.
Hell with it! I impatiently tapped my foot against the cobblestone. It was getting remarkably cold. Poor me, sitting out in the cold under the stars, while waiting for my one and only true love to come rescue me from the icy cold. Pathetic! That's what you are, I scolded. I don't believe in all of this mushy, gushy love stuff. I don't even bother to fiddle around with anything about it. I am Hermione Granger, a smart and well-recognized witch, and you don't see me making out with some git behind the local book store. Love- that's what messes peoples' lives up. Nothing good ever comes out of it. And I'm talking about the boyfriend mushy kind, not the I-love-my-friends-and-family-type. Well, you get the point.
So there I was, a well-known doctor sitting out in the open with no one to accompany me. Lame. Or a better word would be pitiable. This world can be so cruel.
The rose suddenly started to ring (finally!). Great, the annoying 'he's late. I'll just have dinner all to myself then. Satisfied, I got up and approached the waitress. "For two correct?" she asked. I nodded and followed her out to the open until we reached a little table under a mini terrace covered with-guess what?-roses. A little fountain sprinkled nearby. For once, I was glad I came along.
The waitress handed me a menu, and one for the mystery man, and quickly left. I gazed around the little reserved area Harry had booked. Ok, so I was overreacting. This date was going to be fun after all. I hope.
In a distance, I could see a handsome young man talking to the same waitress. See? Even waitresses have love lives. It's scary to think how love is everywhere, how you could never escape it. Unless you live with the Slytherins or something. But, unfortunately, love exists even there. They're just too dumb-witted to notice that or to use it correctly.
The waitress was now directing (as in pointing) the young man to me. My breath caught in my throat. That was him? He was gorgeous! Well, that word is a little too strong for me. He was OK! Now there's a better word.
He thanked the waitress and walked towards me. I slowly blushed. OMG!!!!! I've never blushed before! What should I do? Should I pretend to look at the menu? I grabbed the menu and hid my face behind it, pretending it to be some really great book. The footsteps kept on getting nearer till he was finally was sitting right in front of me.
"Hello, darling," drawled an oh-so-familiar voice. Oh no! No, this is a mistake! Harry would never do this to me! He can't! He just can't be-
"Draco Malfoy. It's an honor to meet your acquaintance. Will you please lower that menu, so I can see your beautiful face?" he simpered. Ok, now this was scary. I didn't move an inch.
"Please. I'm not that ugly."
I giggled slightly. Oh no, this isn't right! Hermione Granger doesn't giggle! Only silly girls do. And Malfoy never says please! And, he was wrong about that ugly thing anyway.
I slowly lowered my menu and stared right into those malicious silvery eyes. Silver swirled around and around. He looked straight into mine. For one minute, we just stared, neither one of us saying anything. It was finally me who broke the silence.
"Malfoy." I gritted my teeth to keep from screaming.
"Well done Granger, I see you recognize me. No surprises there since you were always the know-it-all mudblood. Some things never change. Where's your boyfriend Weasly? Is he so poor, he's ashamed to show his dirty face?" he sneered.
Seven long years of pure hate and loathing caught up with me. "Don't you ever call Ron that, you, you bastard! You moron! You git!" I screamed, making the birds in the next tree fly out. "You Malfoys think you're so great because of your stupid blood! Ron and Harry are soo much better than you!!!" Tears welled up in my eyes.
"Temper, Granger. You don't want that buck-tooth mouth of yours to say anything you would later regret, would you?" Draco smirked.
Angrily I got up and pushed him out of the way. How could Harry set me up with him?!!!!!! I ran away, ignoring all the symphonic glances thrown in my direction. He was a Slytherin!!! A fool as well as a monster!
I ran until I was at the front entrance of The Rose. I called the Knight Bus, and it came, nearly hitting over a trash can. I stepped on board and slowly cried myself to sleep. He was right. Some things just never do change.
A/N: REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please REVIEW! Tell the honest truth ok?! NO LYING!!!!!!! gasps in some air REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you. :-)