It had been three days since the discussion she had with Malfoy. She didn't know why it affected her so much but she had been avoiding him. The truth seemed to weigh on her mind like she was carrying a backpack full of books. She had yet to open the journal again either. It wasn't fear but apprehension about what other secrets she would find. Malfoy had been insisting that she let him read the book too but she never responded. Her date with him in Hogsmeade was this afternoon and it took all her effort not to cancel. She walked over to the Gryffindor common room to find Ginny. She had insisted that she let her to her hair and makeup and pick out her clothes and shoes. Before she knew, Hermione was sitting in front of a dozen mirrors with Ginny's tiny hands maneuvering themselves around her head as if there were an octopus up there working its magic.
"Ouch that hurt!" Hermione yelled.
"Well if you would sit still I can finish Hermione," said Ginny stubbornly.
They were in the bathroom of the Gryffindor common room. Ginny had insisted on helping Hermione prepare for her date with Draco.
"Honestly Gin, I'm not trying to seduce the man into falling in love with me. This is all completely unnecessary."
"Just some finishing touches and voila! All done".
Hermione looked in the mirror. Her hair was up in a neat bun with curls dropping to shape her face. She was wearing a beautifully designed sundress that was an off-white beige color and stopped just short of her knees. Her makeup looked natural and fresh and she wore pearls.
"Wow. Gin, it looks great. But don't you think it's a bit much for Hogsmeade?"
"No! Draco is one of the richest men in the world. No doubt he's going to take you to some fancy high-class restaurant. It's perfect!" Gin seemed to be more excited about it then she was.
She grabbed her flowered clutch and proceeded to meet Draco at the front entrance. He looked absolutely gorgeous in his all-black button down shirt and kacki slacks. His hair looked more platinum against the dark clothing and his eyes more silver. Her breath caught in her throat as she finally took the last steps towards him.
He produced a white rose out of thin air and gently handed it to her.
"How did you do that?" She asked obviously impressed.
"Maybe I'll show you on our second date," he said smirking.
"And what makes you think there's going to be another?" Hermione asked.
"I'm awesome." They both laughed in unison and walked down the road towards Hogsmeade.
"So where are we going?" Hermione said to break the awkward silence.
"A small café that I think you will love".
They arrived quicker than she expected and she looked up to read the pink and white sign, "Café Aurora".
She had heard about this place but never thought to come. It was very expensive and only top people in society ever went there.
They were promptly seated and given water and a menu. Hermione looked around and saw small tables everywhere. The walls were painted white and there were numerous pictures of famous statues from the Ministry of Magic. She looked around at the people who seemed to be absorbed in whatever they were doing. A couple she noticed sitting a few tables away from her was immersed in each other. The woman was smiling while the man seemed to be telling her a joke.
"Salad or soup Ms.?"
Hermione focused on the waitress whom she didn't even see coming up to the table. "Uh, salad thanks".
Her attention went back to the couple.
"It's rude to stare Granger." Draco was looking at her with an interested look on his face. "And you look really nice by the way for a 'friends' date." She wanted to wipe the smirk off his face and curse him out but all she could do was mutter the words, "Ginny's idea."
They spent the rest of the evening talking. The food was wonderfully expensive but she enjoyed it. After Draco paid the bill they walked out into the cool night air.
"I have something I thought you might like Granger." He pulled a golden locket out of his pocket and handed it to her.
"Um, I don't think you need to be buying me gifts too Draco."
He laughed and said, "No I didn't buy it, it's an ancient family heirloom. I figured since you are so interested in my family history you might want to have Angela's locket as well. There's a picture inside too.
Hermione was at a loss for words. She hadn't thought about the journal in a few days but that didn't mean she wasn't curious. The locket looked good as new. When she took it in her hands it was cold as ice like it had been stored in a freezer. She opened it up and found pictures Angela and her husband staring back at her. Angela was everything she didn't imagine her to be. She had chocolate hair and huge eyes. Her smile was devious and she looked happy. She looked over at the man on the other side. To her amazement he looked exactly like Draco, but older.
"That's not Charley by the way. That's Caelin, the brother."
"How did you find this Draco, its beautiful?"
He smiled. "My mother gave it to me after I told her you were interested".
"You told her!? Hermione was heated. Now she was going to have the whole Malfoy clan after that journal.
"I didn't tell her about the journal just that you were interested."
Her breathing calmed down a little bit and she was able to regain her composure. Hermione looked at the locket and wondered how it could remain so cold even in contact with her body heat.
Before she could ask, Draco said, "I don't know why it's so cold all the time. My mother thinks it was enchanted so that no one else could wear it."
"How lovely." Hermione said sarcastically. She placed the necklace in her purse and continued to walk back to the school with Draco.
"I had a nice time with you." He said to her when they were back in the school. He had moved close to her and his hand found his way to hers. She was extremely nervous and wanted to run. This side of Draco was too much for her right now. She backed away slightly.
"I had fun too. We should get back to the dorms. I have patrol duty tonight." She said.
"Would you like some company?"
Hermione wanted to say no. She didn't know how much longer she could keep Draco in the friend zone when everything was happening so fast. Before she knew it she had changed out of her dress and was waiting for Draco in the common room to patrol. She couldn't stop looking at the locket and Angela. It felt like she was there with her. Draco appeared from his room and she shoved the icy into her pocket.
The corridors were dark except for a few candles lit here and there. Hermione was secretly thankful she was not alone. They reached the dungeons and Malfoy lit his wand. She proceeded to do the same and followed after him.
"Why don't you wait here Hermione? It's pretty dark I wouldn't want you to get hurt."
Thankful for a reason not to go down there she planted herself next to a knight along the wall. When he disappeared from view, she took the locket out again. It was strangely warm this time. She felt a shift in the air around her and a slight breeze. There weren't any windows around she figured it must be her nerves.
Suddenly a pain erupted in her stomach and she collapsed on the floor. Her body felt like it was on fire and her head was throbbing. She heard a pair of feet shift quickly towards her and the pain suddenly stopped.
"Hermione what happened? Where you attacked?" She head Malfoy say.
As he helped her up to her feet there were no visible signs on her body. Hermione felt like she was a thousand miles away when she looked into Draco's eyes.
"Hermione?" he asked.
"Caelin…" she whispered. "I found you". And then she collapsed.
