Strawberry Smoothie

The next morning I was ready with yet another little surprise for Hermione. It was a lovely, sunny Friday and my mood was sky high. But somehow I just knew that Hermione was going to improve it. I whistled cheerfully as I walked the way from my home to hers, basking in the wonderfulness of the day ahead.

I stopped in front of her door and rung her doorbell. Only a few seconds later a rather confused Hermione opened the door and stuck out her head.

"Draco!" she exclaimed in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

I grinned, a little foolishly I'm afraid, and pulled out two fresh strawberry smoothies from behind my back.

"One for you and one for me," I said proudly. At first she didn't say anything. She just looked even more confused than before. Then, slowly, a smile began forming on her perfect lips.

"Strawberry?" she asked with a glint in her eyes.

"Of course," I answered. My heart did a little lurch in my chest as she squealed in delight and clapped her hands. She looked so young and childish, not at all like the stern, serious Hermione I had grown to know.

"Give me just a second and then I'll be right out."

She closed the door gently and I was left waiting outside for her. About 30 seconds later the door was again open and Hermione stepped out wearing a floral spring coat. She skipped happily towards me and reached out to take one of the cups. I was tempted to deny her what she wanted in exchange of a kiss or something equally foolish, but I contained myself and held out the cup for her to take.

"Thank you so much Draco," she smiled before wrapping her lips around the thin, red straw. I have to admit that my eyes were immediately drawn to her puckered lips. My mouth might even have hung slightly open. She was mesmerizing.

I gulped uncomfortably before answering, "You're welcome."

She pulled away from the straw and smiled again. And my knees went weak.

"Did you make this?" she asked as she started to walk down the street. I laughed as I followed her.

"Absolutely not! I don't cook… anything."

"Well, it's good."

"I'm glad you think so."

We walked in silence for a while before she turned her big, questioning eyes on me.

"Why do you spoil me like this?"

Her face was curious and very, very hard to resist. I almost felt compelled to tell the truth. Almost. But somehow I held my ground. I didn't want to just lay my feelings on her without any courting period. I know, it might sound outdated and old, but I just couldn't get myself to tell her right up front. Not without being sure that she at least felt something for me.

"Just trying to be friendly," I said, avoiding her eyes as best as I could. "You know, we've gotten slightly closer this last month and… yeah, you're not all bad."

She uttered a small, surprised laugh but didn't comment. She just kept on looked at me, beckoning for me to continue with her searching eyes.

"So," I continued hesitantly "I really wanted us to get to know each other better."

"And then you just decided to bring me strawberries?" she said with a crooked smile.

"It seemed like a good place to start."

The smile disappeared and was replaced by her normal seriousness.

"You're right," she said. "It was a very good place to start. And I'm very thankful."

"Yeah well," I said slightly uncomfortable "don't go all soft on me."

Instantly the serious expression evaporated and was replaced by my favourite smile.

"Fine," she said cheerfully. "Then I won't start crying."

"Oh, please don't do that!" I said, suddenly terrified that she might be capable of such a winey thing.

She laughed happily and went through the glass doors to our office building. Astonished, I went in after her, watching her laugh as she went to our shared office. When I stepped in she was already sitting at her desk with her coat hanging on the back of her chair and the smoothie standing in front of her.

I went to my own desk, put down the smoothie, which I hadn't even tasted yet, hung my jacket on my chair and sat down. I really tried to work. I tried to concentrate on the task in front of me. but it was extremely difficult when there was something else in front of me, distracting me from my duties. Hermione's desk was situated right in front of mine and I had a clear view of her back with her long hair hanging down it.

I watched as she flicked her hair back with her hand and then she reached out to take the cup. I watched completely transfixed as she raised the cup to her lips and started drinking again. I felt my breathing quicken and my heart rate speed up. Suddenly her chair started turning and I realised that she was turning to face me. I scrambled to make it look like I hadn't just been staring my eyes out of my head, but I'm not really sure I succeeded. She took another pull from the straw before lowering the cup.

"You know," she said thoughtfully. "It really is a good idea, the whole friend-thing. So, in the nature of friendship, would you like to come over for tea tomorrow?"

I was flabbergast for two seconds before I could answer, "I'd love to." And with a sly grin I added, "You make the tea and I will take care of the pastry."

Hermione smiled broadly and then turned back to her work. Meanwhile I was thinking about what sort of strawberry cake would work with tea…

So sorry for the long wait, but I finally finished another chapter. It'll probably be awhile before I'll get around to writing another one, so enjoy this one.

And review!