A/N
I kinda wanted to hold off with the update until the weekend, since I'm more likely to get views then; but then again, the chapter was ready and my excitement trumps my desire to be a view-whore.
So, without further ado..
Chapter 3
Draco took another sip of his Bacardi Gold & Cola, while his eyes roamed around the club, looking for the girl of the night.
"So, how are things with the apartment? And Hermione?" Ginny casually asked.
"The rest of my boxes came today so you could say I finally finished moving in - it does feel more comfortable being there, which I think helped with Hermione too.." he trailed off, his eyes fixed on a particularly hot brunette.
"Oh?" she pushed for more information.
A bulkier man came and kissed the girl Draco was insistently eyeing, so he stopped and fully shifted his attention to Ginny.
"Yeah, before.. we were both sort of tiptoeing around each other, not really sure how we're supposed to interact, I guess. The fact that I've now completely moved in brings -" he took another sip, giving himself time to contemplate an explanatory answer "a certain note of finality, if you will. It makes things more comfortable." he stated, flatly.
"I see." Ginny nodded understandingly. "I do have to say I'm surprised to you came with us tonight though" she continued, giving him an accomplice look.
"I'm not sure I follow" was his answer, even though he had an idea what she was hinting at.
"Hermione" - and there it was. "You find her attractive" she went on matter-of-factly, causing Draco to snort.
"I find a lot of girls attractive" came his non-committal answer.
"Yes, yes, we know - Draco Malfoy, fuckboy extraordinaire. I'm just stating the convenience of it all and since you guys live together.. I just assumed"
"Well, don't" he said and she straightened at the harshness of his words. "Sorry. I .. between my family issues and her just starting out in college, neither of us really needs the drama of a failed roommate one night stand." he finished lamely.
"I'm just saying, one one night stand with the right person might be just what the doctor ordered" she said, her eyes set affectionately on Harry as he was in line at the bar, trying to get them refills.
"Just because it worked out for you doesn't mean it works out for everyone, Red." was his wistful answer.
Ginny felt the atmosphere change and realised she didn't want to pursue the topic of Draco's failed romantic life any further and chose to go for his not-so-romantic life. "So.. anyone catch your eye, yet?"
"Yes, actually, and I'm gonna go talk to her." he said, eyeing a girl somewhere Ginny couldn't locate exactly. "Good luck kiss?" he turned around to ask, jokingly.
"Luck? Please, " she giggled "I'm sure you've got this down to a science by now."
He whole-heartedly grinned at her before starting to make his way towards the blonde sitting alone by the bar.
Hermione stepped out of the shower and grabbed a towel to dry herself off.
She'd spent the past hour and a half shaving and then soothing the mildly irritated skin and she was pleased with the result - just the feeling this weekly ritual gave her was enough to make her feel all hot and all woman. She plucked her eyebrows, washed her face, brushed her teeth and naturally, applied the anti-aging cream she'd only recently bought, as she was convinced she could start having wrinkles even though she was nineteen - the nice woman behind the counter had asked her about her mother's age so she could recommend the most appropriate product and was left with her mouth slightly agape when Hermione told her she wanted it for herself.
She smiled at the thought; she supposed it was a little bit crazy what she was doing, but in the end she did settle for a less powerful choice so in her eyes, that took the crazy out of it.
Snatching the towel again off its intended shelf, she started gently massaging her head in an attempt to get most of the water out. It'd still be wet, as she hated blow-drying it, even in the winter, but at least the droplets would stop dripping down her back now. When she was done, she looked - really looked - in the mirror, taking herself in and couldn't help the full-on grin that broke on her face. There was nothing in the world that quite matched feeling beautiful.
Unlocking the bathroom door, she slipped her head through just to make sure Draco was still in his room. When she was satisfied with her detective work and decided his door was indeed closed, she fast paced the walk to her bedroom drawers and picked her black lace Victoria's Secret favourite pair of panties and one of the loose T-shirts Harry left behind that she loved, as they were comfortable and whenever she passed by a mirror, she thought she looked like one of those TV show stars that walk around the house looking effortlessly attractive. Not to say that she wasn't a natural beauty, but ever since Ginny had opened her eyes to cosmetics, she just couldn't bring herself not to use the products. It was the placebo of it all, she guessed.
There were still about three hours left before she had to be at Harvard for her first day, as the tour around the premises started around half past one in the afternoon, but she simply couldn't bring herself to sleep in late. She felt like everything needed to be perfect and that's why, fifteen minutes later she had settled on a healthy breakfast consisting of scrambled eggs, tomatoes and was now trying to decide between a green apple and a red one, while waiting for the water to boil for her morning batch of black coffee.
She would've thought she made a pretty sight, but it seemed the girl that stepped out of Draco's bedroom didn't approve, if her screech was anything to go by.
"Could you not?" Hermione heard Draco shout somewhat pissed. "I assumed you knew this was a one night thing. No need to be a bitch about it"
"Oh, I'm sorry? God, my bad. How silly of me, not expecting to also catch a glimpse of your morning whore" the random girl said while pointing accusingly at Hermione, still only in her panties and T-shirt.
"Actually I'm -" she started, but got rudely interrupted as the skinny blonde stormed off. "- the roomate. And do you think she realises she's just implied she's a whore?"
She could hear Draco getting up in the other room, judging by the bed's slight creaks and the noise of the drawers in motion. "Doubtful. And sorry" he started, his voice somewhat muffled by the distance. "Didn't realise I needed to go over my living arrangements with every girl I bring over if I don't want them to wake the whole block."
About thirty seconds later he stepped out of his room and came into the kitchen, casually taking a seat at the counter. "Oh, nevermind. I was apologizing and there you were, with no bottoms, practically begging for a cat-fight" he said, grinning at her.
"That better be sarcastic, you know. Plus I can hold you accountable for not letting me know you're having someone over. I would've probably been more decent if you had."
"Yeah, sorry about that too. But I didn't want to wake you. Harry, Gin and I went out clubbing last night and it must've been a quarter past three or so when we left, so knowing you, I figured you'd already gone to bed, wanting to get a good start to your first day in college and all." He yawned. "Wait. Did you mean to imply you would've been more decent for others, but not if it was just me in the apartment?"
"Only because I assumed you'd be asleep."
"I assumed I'd be asleep as well, but a certain blonde got in the way of that" he countered.
"You see, given that phrasing someone might think you're trying to emphasize on the usual stereotypes around blondes, but I am pretty sure you just forgot her name" Hermione retorted with a smile. Something about the blonde not being anything memorable for him was oddly refreshing.
His lips turned up in a small smile as well, but he didn't answer, opting instead for a change of topic. "What are we having?"
"I am having eggs. I'm sure you can fix something for yourself as well." she said, turning around to face him, having just finished pouring a mug of coffee. "Hey!" she found herself frowning at him as he stole a bite off of her plate.
"You said you won't cook for me, you had it coming"
"I didn't say I won't cook for you. I just wanna finish my breakfast and go figure out what I'll dress up with. And maybe clean around a little.. " he was giving her a look leaning on confused so she quickly added "helps with the nerves."
"So you will cook for me, then. It's a date. How does tomorrow at.. six sound?"
"Like you're not even trying. I expected more from the womanizer I'm supposedly living with" Hermione voiced with disappointment, but a glint in her eye.
"It's doubtful that my charms would work on you so easily. You're pretty different from my usual.. friends."
"Damn, you are good. From careless assumptions to the 'you're not like most girls' - while not untrue, completely empty - sentiment. I see what your.. 'friends' - as you so eloquently put it - see in you."
He rolled his eyes at her with a sense of an amused grudge, before making a move to retreat to his room. "Have fun at school" he shouted over his shoulder.
"Thanks" she replied, content with the way their banter had become a fun habit to engage in - something she was not generally used to, as Harry slept in most of the time, so they usually never talked in the morning. But now, she found she quite liked this start to her day.
A/N
Whee, another chapter.
By the way, while I've admitted to not being a view-whore, I'm not entirely above being a review-whore - so you know.. if you like the story, give me an incentive to keep going? Pretty please.
