Love is Tough Chapter 3:
Hermione woke fully rested wondering if it had all been just a dream. She stretched and got out of the bed and walked into the kitchen and was immediately shocked.
Sitting on every surface were dozens of white roses and in the center of them was a red rose with a card.
She picked up the card and blushed as she read.
"I never knew one night could mean so much. I am determined to make myself more worthy of you then Weasley ever was. Your kiss haunts me as I await tonight.
~Draco"
Hermione smiled so brightly. Then a frightening thought crossed her mind. Whatever was she going to wear?
She ransacked her closet and soon her room looked as if a tornado had thrown clothes all over it. Then her eyes lighted on a black dress bag.
It had been a long time since she had worn this dress. The last time she had worn it had been at the Yule Ball. She tried it on hoping it still fit.
Now that her curves had fully developed the dress fit her even better then before. Then she knew she had to make sure everything else was just as perfect.
That night Hermione apparated to Malfoy Manor. There were certain bad memories. Her fingers wandered to the faint scars on her upper arm and shivered. She was determined to get over it.
Hermione knocked on the door and Draco answered smiling. He took her coat and looked her over with a look of deepest admiration that had her smiling.
Draco kissed her hand as she took the liberty of looking him over realizing hoe flattering the simple white button down and black slacks were on him.
Draco then took her arm and led her to the dining area which had a small two person table rather then the long table accustomed to the room. Candlelit, the table had a single rose across Hermione's plate.
Draco pulled out her chair for her and she smiled as she sat down and then he took his seat.
With a pop none other then Winky appeared with a bottle of wine.
"Winky!" Hermione said shocked. The house elf placed down the bottle before quickly leaving.
"It's not what you think," Draco said realizing her shock, "Winky was miserable at Hogwarts because she misses taking care if a family. I bonded her to me to make her happy."
Hermione was slightly stunned. Truly Draco had changed.
They sat there drinking the wine and enjoyed a dinner that somehow had all her favorites which she was sure Winky had had a hand in selecting. They laughed and chatted and after dinner retired to a sitting room.
Draco sat with Hermione leaning against him on the love seat. They talked until all the candles burnt low. They talked about books and classes they had taken. Poor Winky had fallen asleep in the arm chair.
Hermione looked at the clock stunned by what time it was. Draco looked at it too.
"Stay here for the night please," he said, "I'll go put Winky in her bed and then I'll take you to where you can sleep."
He scooped up the little house elf and left giving Hermione time to think. It wasn't long until he was back.
"Draco can I sleep in your bed?" Hermione asked, "I'm not ready for something like you know. I just went to fall asleep with your arms around me."
Draco walked forward and gave her a kiss. "Of course,love. Whatever you desire."
