A.N. - So want to find out what happens when Hermione leaves the elevator? Happy reading!

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When Hermione stepped out of the elevator, she immediately apparated back to the alleyway. Checking her make-up was un-smeared, she entered the pub once more.

Scanning the pub, Hermione felt a pang of disappointment when she couldn't see Draco sitting on the stool.

Hang on, he was supposed to watch my bag!

Looking towards the booth which had held his friends, she found his profile on the end, a full bottle of wine and two empty glasses by his arm resting on the tabletop. A steaming bowl of pasta was next to the bottle and Draco swatting away one of his friend's encroaching hands from the food.

Hermione smiled slightly at the antics.

Another of his friends grabbed the fork and made a swoop for a tomato. Draco picked up the spoon and wrapped it over the hand holding the fork. The fork immediately clattered to the table.

Best go over before my food is stolen.

She took a step forward and halted.

Should I? I'm kidding myself if I don't think the spark between Draco and I won't lead to something now I'm single. Should I really put myself in this situation? Do I want to?

Balancing her emotions, Hermione knew she had felt attracted to Draco for over a year, since they had called their truce, and even before that she thought he was attractive. She had also known for months that Ron and she would not work out in the long run, she had spent the last few months trying to convince herself otherwise, but it hadn't worked and was just making her miserable: doubly so when Ron forgot her for work.

So, do I want to? Yes, I most definitely do: but it is too soon – I only just broke up with Ron, literally. But isn't that partly why I broke things off with Ron tonight, rather than visiting him tomorrow morning? Oh, bugger it, being morally bound sucks. One week, I'll wait a week – it's only right towards Ron. After that, I will feel free to move on and act on this attraction to see if it could be something more.

Decision set, Hermione moved forward.

I'll just grab my bag and go.

When she reached the table, Draco's friends saw her first and smiled. Draco turned and grinned at her.

'Glad to see you back,' he said.

'Of course, you have my bag,' Hermione replied, holding out her hand for it.

Draco pointed to one of the girls tucked on the other side of the booth.

'I've got your bag safe and sound from the curious boys,' she said, 'Karina, by the way, thanks so much for the introduction, Draco,' the girl added with a mock glare at Draco.

'Thanks,' Hermione said.

Draco shuffled over and said, 'Sit down, Hermione, before we all get cricks in our necks from looking up at you, besides your dinner, which I have gallantly been defending, is starting too cool.'

'Oh, actually—'

'You're not going to waste my noble efforts of defending this delicious meal, are you?' he guilt-tripped.

I guess it would be rude after he kept it for me.

'Oh, fine,' Hermione replied, sitting down and picking up a fork.

The tiny space meant she was pressed firmly against Draco's warm side. Her senses went into overdrive and she could swear she could smell the Amortentia Potion.

Oh Hades, I smell Draco when I smell Amortentia! How has it taken me so long to realise‽

But she knew how, she had been in denial and stubbornly trying to make her relationship with Ron work, despite her awareness of their lack of compatibility.

Breathing deeply, she could almost taste Draco's heady scent. She twirled some linguine around her fork.

Focus on the food and stay strong!

She felt Draco lean down to her ear and the warm breath caressed her as he whispered, 'In a ditch?'

'No, I left him physically able.'

'Just physically?'

'He was a little upset when I broke up with him.'

'You broke up with him‽' Draco gasped as his jaw dropped.

'Why are your surprised?'

'I just never thought you actually would split with him.'

'Sorry to disappoint.'

A feeling of lowliness stole over her, until Draco whispered again. 'Most definitely not disappointed; sad for you, but delighted for me.'

'Why would you be delighted?'

'Because now you are single and I can ask you out.'

Her heart skipped a beat as he reassured her so easily.

'I'm not interested in anything for a week.'

'How can you be so sure it will be exactly a week?'

'Because it is only fair to Ron.'

Draco pulled out his watch and wand, performing a complicated looking spell that Hermione wasn't familiar with.

'What was that?' she asked.

'A spell to let me know when exactly one week has passed – that's next Friday at 9:12 pm. I'll be asking you out then,' he replied confidently.

'You think I'll say yes?'

'I can only hope,' he replied and poured wine into the two empty glasses.

'I'm not staying,' Hermione replied, pushing it away when he edged it closer.

'Please do. I swear I'll be a gentleman for a week – after that, all bets are off.'

A shiver of delightful anticipation shot up Hermione's spine, easily recognisable as the illusive passion she had been desperately seeking.

'And by gentleman, do you mean "belonging to the landed gentry" or "courteous, honourable, and chivalrous"?'

'So smart,' Draco answered, head leaning in so it was only a hair width from her own forehead. Pulling away, he continued, 'I mean both.'

'Okay,' Hermione replied, and then pulled the glass of deep, red wine back towards her. 'Oh that is good,' she moaned after taking a sip.

'But if you moan like that again, I'm not sure I'll be able to control myself,' Draco murmured.

Hermione blushed and put the wine done with a light thump that drew the attention of his friends. The friends introduced themselves, Hermione only recognising a few from school. She spent the remained of the night laughing in their company and forcing herself not to think on her ex or the attractive man pressed against her.

When the group eventually broke apart to head home, it was passed midnight. Draco wrapped his arm around Hermione and helped her to stand – she almost managed to do so by herself. He collected her bag from Karina and then led her to the alley. Holding her floppy, mildly-conscious body tightly, he apparated them to his manor.

Appearing in his bedroom, which was one of the few upstairs rooms he could apparate into (the other being his study).

'Hmm, is this your bedroom?' Hermione moaned and turned in his arms, pressing kisses on his neck. After a moment, he spun her around and guided her carefully out his bedroom door, and then into the one across the hall.

Swishing his wand, the candles lit and he drew back the covers on the bed. He pulled off her jacket and shoes, settling her between the covers and pulling them back up. A groggy Hermione tried to pull him with her.

'Stay with me,' she moaned.

Draco groaned and untangled himself from her grip. Summoning a house elf, he requested a quill and some parchment. When the elf returned, he wrote a quick note for Hermione so she knew where she was when she had slept off the alcohol and emotional turmoil.

'I really wish I could, but I promised to be a gentleman for a week,' Draco uttered, darting forward to press a light kiss on her forehead and stepping out of reach again.

'Squiggles,' he said to the elf who was waiting for a new order or to be dismissed, 'can you please get a hangover potion and an unbreakable glass of water.'

'Yes, master.' The elf disappeared and was back only a few seconds later, the items in hand.

Draco took them and placed them by the note for Hermione to find in the morning.

'I'll be fine for the rest of the night,' Draco said quietly, dismissing the elf.

The creature nodded and popped away once more.

He stood watching Hermione for a few moments, then forced himself to leave the room, firmly closing the door behind him and heading to have a cold shower.

A.N. - Next chapter will go up tomorrow :) Did you like gentleman Draco?