Chapter 3:
He waited for Granger outside the theater, near a flickering streetlight. He managed to leave the manor while his Father was at another Deatheater gathering. He was wearing a black shirt with a green jacket and black pants, it wasn't as warm as last night but just enough where he had to wear a jacket.
He wanted to meet Granger here, but most certainly did not want her to think this was a date. Sure the traditional muggle date would be seeing a movie together, but Draco was nowhere near a traditional muggle.
He turned to the sound of footsteps approaching and saw Granger walk casually towards him. She was wearing a red sweatshirt- typical Gryffindor- blue jeans, and, what muggles called, "Converse." She certainly didn't look like she thought it was a date, then again she's here with Malfoy, and Merlin knows how much they despise each other.
"Hello, Malfoy," she mumbled, her gaze going anywhere except the blonde git standing in front of her.
"Hello, Granger," he said, not wanting to look at her either.
Awkward silence came after and they both stood there, anxious for the other to start speaking.
"Well?" she said, breaking the silence.
"Well, what?"
"Aren't you going to explain yourself?"
"I'd thought we'd see the movie first." She looked at him skeptically.
"Malfoy, are you mental? This is not normal, tell me what is going on!"
"I will, right after we see the bloody movie!"
"How do you even know what a movie is?"
"It's a moving picture put together by muggles, how hard is that to understand?!"
"See, there how would you know that?!" He looked at his watch and noticed the movie was about to start.
"Look, Granger, I've been wanting to see this movie for a month now, and I need you to hold off your questions until the end of the film. Understand?" It surprised him how she didn't respond, and just nodded her head.
"You're lucky, because I want to see the movie as well." She said, and he smirked.
They walked inside and took their seats. The movie itself was called, "Goldeneye," and was about the famous muggle spy, James Bond. Draco knew it was a popular muggle movie series and was completely immersed in the film from the start. Hermione was no different; she always had a love for books, but movies were her secret obsession.
They were so absorbed in the film, they didn't care to wonder why they were doing this or how unnatural it was for two enemies to watch a movie together as if they had just met.
After the movie, they walked outside and decided to take a walk, where Draco can properly explain himself.
He explained how he took a liking to muggles and their fascinating way of life. He especially liked the carnival and the theater because of the way they represented muggle culture and how it was so different in the wizarding world. He did not mention his parents or the Dark Lord, fearing she might run off and tell "Saint Potter." He also explained why he was saying those awful things to muggleborns, such as Granger. He felt it was his obligations to do so, and it would make his father proud. As he spoke, she listened and never took her eyes off him.
Hermione thought to herself, all those years of torture and humiliation were fake. If he had never been such an insufferable prat, she might have even taken a liking towards him.
"So, all those years you called me a, mudblood, you never meant it?" she said softly. He shook his head.
"And all those spats we had were just fake?" she asked.
"Oh no, I quite enjoyed those. You see, making you frustrated is a natural talent. And what kind of person would I be if I didn't pursue that?" He smirked. She slapped him on the arm, but a smile was creeping up to her face.
"And what about Harry and Ron? Why do you make fun of them?"
"I suppose I was raised to hate them. Potter is a half-blood, and as I said I was raised to hate anyone who wasn't pure. And Weasley, I mean come on! How can you not make fun of that!" He chuckled. She slapped him again on the arm, but was laughing as well.
"He's not as bad as you think, you know,"
"Well, of course you would say that, you're practically destined to be together." Her smile dropped from her face and she began staring at the ground.
"Did I say something wrong?" He wasn't sure where this new found kindness was coming from, but he still said it nonetheless.
"No, it's just that...that's what everybody says. Lavender and Parvati constantly spread rumors that we're in a relationship. Even Ron's mother is giving hints at us being together."
"I always thought you fancied the git," he said with subtle concern.
"Well I did, until everybody started putting...pressure on me. Ron never has a care in the world, but I
always felt that I was somehow being...forced." She looked up at him, his expression slightly perplexed.
Now that he thought about it more, everyone really did seem to think they were together, himself included. Everyone knows about their row after the Yule ball in fourth year, and Weasley had made it quite obvious that he had feelings for her.
He could see why he would take a liking towards her, a man would have to be blind to not notice her that way. Despite all her studious and uptight qualities, she was very intelligent and proved to be a worthy opponent in an argument. Not to mention her looks; she didn't have the best features, but certainly not the worst.
"I'm sorry, you're supposed to be telling your story," she said, fighting back tears.
"Well yes, but I think I've just about said all there needs to be said."
"Oh," she said.
As they walked more, and eventually reaching the park, she thought about their times at Hogwarts. The more she thought about it, the more pieces she was able to put together.
Draco was quite persistent in torturing every muggle born at school. She also remembered seeing his father at one point during her second year, whilst getting her book signed by Gilderoy Lockhart. His stern expression was one you couldn't forget, and the way he walked with his son made it seem as though they were strangers. Draco's hate-filled and vulgar words were taught to him, by his own father.
He could feel the awkward silence building up and decided they might as well do something fun.
"Hey, I want to show you something," he said before summoning a broom into his hand. Seeing where was going with this, she stepped back.
"No way you're making me get on that thing," she said as he mounted it.
"Come on, Granger, I REALLY want to show you something." She didn't know what strange force controlled her to do so, but somehow she found herself on the broom, sitting in front of him, as they lifted off the ground.
He felt his breath on her neck, something he did not seem to notice. The hair on her arms stood on edge and goosebumps began to form all over her body. She had never actually been this close to a boy, other than a small hug. Her reverie was soon broken when she noticed just how high they had gone.
She screamed in pure panic and he laughed, muttering a silencing and invisible charm over their heads.
As she began to regain control, she asked, "How did you make us invisible?"
"My father is developing and invisible charm, which is still somewhat of a working progress."
"What?!" She yelled, before zooming off into the night sky.
They landed in what appeared to be a forest, somewhere that was nowhere near London.
"Where are we?" she whispered, before getting off the broom.
"Relax, Granger, you're safe. This is just a forest." He said softly, noticing the tension in her voice. He placed his broom on a nearby tree and laid down next to it.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"Come here, you'll see." She kneeled down next to him, looked up, and gasped. The stars in the sky twinkled brightly and all surrounded the glowing, beautiful moon.
"How did I not notice this while flying?" she said, unaware that she was even speaking.
"Because you had your eyes closed the whole time!" he chuckled softly. She smiled and looked up, suddenly at ease with the world. This time during their silence, it was comfortable, and not at all awkward. They could lay there forever and never have to go back to reality.
"It's really beautiful, Draco," she whispered.
"Well that's a first."
"What's a first?"
"You just called me Draco," he said before she blushed a furious red, hoping it was dark enough where he couldn't see her blush.
"Sometimes, when the carnival is not around or there aren't any good movies to see, I come here," he said softly.
"I can see why."
He looked at her and she looked back, both examining each other.
Draco always had a dark, menacing look to him. His gaze used to burn her and he always had a hurtful remark to go with it. Only tonight he was different, his gaze showed a new side to him. It had kindness and thought, and came with only the sound of blissful silence.
Hermione never really changed. Her eyes were always thoughtful and full of wisdom. Her hair was just as messy, but never really framed her face more perfectly. Her lips gave off a slight pout, and she constantly bit at her bottom lip. A year ago, they would have thought nothing of each other, nor look twice at them, but tonight just felt so...right.
Before she could say another word, he leaned in and took her lips into his. This kiss was nothing like she ever experienced before. During 4th year, she had kissed Viktor Krum and thought it was the best kiss of her life. But compared to Draco, Krum's kiss was nothing but a sloppy dog kiss. Draco kissed softly and tenderly, but felt sensual and extremely erotic.
Draco had snogged a lot of girls in the past, but this was different, it was not a snog, this was a kiss. It was slow, passionate, and incredibly sexy. He parted her lips with his tongue and he touched the end of hers. Soon, things became quite intimate...and sweaty. He pulled away, afraid he might scare her off. She looked up at him, waiting for him to say something.
"We should get back," he finally spoke.
With slight disappointment, she said softly, "Yes, we probably should."
He dropped her off at her house and took in its appearance. It wasn't too small, but wasn't big either. It was, dare he say, homey. He walked her to the door and stood there, waiting for her to go inside and never see him again. Yes, that would be the easy way out.
Finally, without warning, she wrapped her arms around his neck and took him in for another kiss. This time it was a surprise to Draco, but still kissed her nonetheless. She pulled away and looked into his eyes.
"So, when can I see you again?" he stammered.