Disclaimer:- I neither earn anything from nor own this story. Just the plot, anything you recognise is the property of JK Rowling and associates.
sSs
A/N:- Just a reminder that this is a birthday fic for JennyBean23, well it was when it was published. Hope you enjoy this update.
hHh
Chapter Three – How Friendship Changes
As awkward as they felt about the night before, both Hermione and Draco knew that somehow it seemed to have brought them closer. Really it should have had the opposite effect, but first thing Draco did when he arrived at her flat to go shopping was offer her the services of his beauty therapists.
"Why?" she demanded, her eyes narrowed, but then she thought about what he'd just said, and immediately scoffed. "Wait," she pointed at him, trying to keep a straight face. "You have a beauty therapist?"
He rolled his eyes. "Really love, how do you think I keep this skin like this and my hair so perfect?" he preened as he spoke.
"You know what, Malfoy, to tell the truth, I really just thought it happened like that naturally for you," Hermione offered, almost innocently.
"Oh, Granger, really," he laughed, "naturally? Nothing like this happens naturally, love."
"It doesn't?" she blinked, wide-eyed at him. "Then I've been missing something."
He sighed, "Granger, now don't get me wrong, you've got a stunning body—for a girl—but after seeing you in the all together last night," and when she blushed at the remembrance, he slung an arm over her shoulder. "Now, don't get all embarrassed on me. What I'm trying to say is that sometimes the shrubbery needs a little trimming."
Hermione gave him a puzzled look, and in trying to explain wordlessly, he drew a circle in the air with his hand, in the general vicinity of her crotch. She suddenly caught on. "Hey, now wait a minute, Malfoy. That's private," she gushed, resisting the absurd urge to cover herself.
"Well, it was until you flaunted it in front of me last night."
Blushing hotly, Hermione cleared her throat. "I'm sorry, I was drunk," she mumbled.
"Yes you were," he responded, "and I'd like to forget that now and move on."
Hermione nodded, and considered what he'd said, she sighed, "Well, I guess I haven't trimmed anything… well since Theo left," Hermione stated, again blushing like a beetroot. "I haven't felt like looking after myself." Then she thought about it. Perhaps I do need to start fixing myself up on more of an elemental level than I'd planned; I don't want to put Severus off. Finally she looked at him, "But I usually do the charms myself."
"Oh no," he looked truly horrified."It's much better to allow a professional to do it, there's no way I'd ever try charms like that on myself, I might vanish something precious," he told her earnestly as they got out of the lift.
"What does she trim on you?"
"You were very drunk last night, weren't you, Granger?"
"Oh," she gulped, and suddenly blushed. "I remember." After a moment of thought, she laughed, "Maybe I should try everything off?"
"No," Draco advised, "I doubt Uncle S would appreciate you that way, he's a very traditional wizard," he said matter-a-factly.
"Oh," and she giggled despite herself, as the strangest image played through her head at his comment. Snape dressed as her professor, critically eyeing her naked body with his arms folded saying, "Really, Miss Granger, was it necessary to defy nature to that degree?"
The shopping actually went well, as long as Draco got his own way, and after much looking they had decided on a feminine outfit for the visit to the university tomorrow. It had been a difficult call, because she'd need to look like an intelligent woman, but with the emphasis on woman. After much looking and rejecting of clothing, Draco had approved a cornflower blue, linen dress, with a row of tiny covered buttons down the front. He had joked that a dress with buttons was the perfect complimenting opposite to Severus' wardrobe.
Once he'd organised all that—plus a few extra things, Hermione couldn't actually remember approving—he took her to his hairdresser, and Ricco had fussed and gushed over her hair for the rest of the afternoon. Hermione had concentrated hard on hearing the straightening charms he had used on it, but they had been non-verbal.
Nevertheless, now standing in front of her mirror in her nightie, she couldn't help admiring the brassy highlights he'd charmed into it as she plaited it, ready for bed.
xox
Hermione found herself very nervous the next morning as she wondered how the day would go. The glimpses she'd had of Severus just recently, especially yesterday, told her he was everything she'd suspected he would be, but getting passed his crusty exterior was the trick. She smoothed her new dress down as she waited for the minute hand on the clock to make its torturous journey toward the six, as she worried her lip and thought, Hopefully I've placed myself at the best advantage for him to see me as an equal.
Then as the minute hand and the second hand simultaneously arrived at their destination, there was a confident rap on her door. This time she paused to reflect as to why he wasn't at the front doors, seeing it was a secured building. However, the fact that it was a Muggle building and therefore didn't have anti-apparition wards and such probably had a lot to do with it. She had them on her apartment, of course. Perhaps he was either using Draco's floo to gain access to the building, or else he'd found some way to apparate in un-noticed.
Opening the door, she bid him good morning as she grabbed her purse and shrank it to fit in her pocket. Severus told her how nice she looked, extended his arm to her, and their day had started.
xox
By lunchtime, they were sitting in the University's swankiest dining room, invited guests of the deans of the Potions and Charms faculties, at the official luncheon with the lecturer.
Professor Emile Liftenback reminded Hermione a lot of Horace Slughorn. He had the same jovial, outlook and was surrounded by all the trappings of the good life.
Some of the master's had looked Hermione up and down cautiously when they'd first seen her. She reflected that perhaps this was because of her youth, however, Severus glared at them when he noticed, and they settled down.
She had been surprised that senior apprentices were included with their allotted masters in the luncheon invitation. However, it was soon apparent that they were here to observe, learn and do whatever was required of them by said allotted master, well that was fine with her.
Not only was she learning a great deal about both Potions and Charms, she was also taking in details about her date as well. For example, a lot of the masters present looked to him to lead their discussions, again she had no doubt he was a prominent force in the Potions world.
The discussion, which Severus led, on the explanation of certain characteristics of Potions with reference to Muggle Physics was eye-opening for Hermione, it had never occurred to her to wonder if Muggle and wizarding sciences ever overlapped. She took in the rapt audience he had, and realised that none of them had ever heard about the activities of electrons in their different obits before.
Hermione settled back and allowed his voice to wash over her while she listened to what was amounting to an impromptu lecture, as much as he may have hated teaching, he certainly was cut out for it. On a university level he would be the perfect lecturer, and she wondered if he'd ever considered it?
At the end of lunch she found out the answer to the question she had posed herself. "Well, Severus my boy, enlightening as usual," the dean on Potions said. "I know I've asked you many times, but I'm happy to invite you again. If at any time you get sick of pandying to that Ministry of yours, there is always a professorship, and a fully staffed research lab waiting here for you."
Severus nodded in acknowledgement. "Thank you, Dean Smiggleson, perhaps one day."
He cast an ever so slight glance at Hermione, and what he said made her stomach bubble with excitement. "Actually, perhaps soon, Dean, there is one more issue that I wish to see to hopeful fruition before I leave the Ministry."
What he'd said clicked into place with things Draco had told her yesterday morning when he'd arrived at her door, bearing Hangover Potion. She'd had enough time to throw up several times, have a shower and curl up on her lounge with a cup of strong tea. She been rather teary because of how miserable she felt, and he'd been surprisingly understanding.
"Why does he hate me so much, Malfoy?"
"Severus doesn't hate you, love. Far from it," he was allowing her to cry on his shoulder, which surprised her even more now that she thought about it.
"He doesn't?" she'd sniffed.
"No, he just hates his job," Draco told her.
"Then why do, it," she'd replied angrily.
Draco sighed. "Do you remember in sixth year when you were making us all sick drooling after the weasel?"
She sat upright and swiped at her tears. "I did not drool," and she suddenly glared at him.
"Yes, you did," he cackled, "and Weasley was too busy slobbering all over Brown to notice you." He watched her nod, and he continued, "Well Severus has a similar situation."
"What! He's too busy slobbering… I didn't think he."
Draco cut her off. "No, Granger," he rolled his eyes. "Good Merlin, woman, I thought you were intelligent, it's the other way round."
"Oh, he likes someone and she's ignoring him," her heart lurched as he nodded, assuming it was someone else.
"So, in a nut-shell, he's just pulled an all-nighter, in an underpaid job that he hates, and he arrived at my place to apologise for missing our arranged evening, then he finds you in my apartment. I'm afraid rational thought went out the window, he feels very possessive of you, and I wish he would do something about it."
At the time she hadn't understood why he would feel possessive of her, if he liked someone else, or what he was going to do about anything. Now she was wondering if Draco had been trying to tell her that Severus liked her. She zoned back in to hear Severus saying, "No, I'm occupied after the lecture, perhaps another time."
A stab of disappointment ran through her, thinking he'd organised something to do that he could use as an excuse to get away from her. Maybe she'd been wrong about everything.
Then that idea flew out the window when they were seated in the ancient lecture theatre once more. He slipped his hand discreetly into hers and squeezed once before releasing it. "Are you enjoying yourself?"
"Oh yes, I'm having a wonderful time. Thank you for bringing me."
"It has been entirely my pleasure," and the corner of his mouth tilted up into a small smile, and she heard him take a deep breath. "Hermione, I was wondering if you would dine with me this evening?"
Now she was reciprocating his smile. "I'd like that, Severus."
"Good," he murmured, as the lights flashed, signalling the start of the demonstration phase of the lecture.
xox
While Severus and Hermione were being thoroughly entertained by a research assistant accidentally setting himself on fire when his experiment produced more pyrotechnics than he'd anticipated, which in turn had a disgruntled Professor Liftenback coming in to complete the assistant's work and save the demonstration.
Draco found his Sunday afternoon being stolen from him in not an entirely unpleasant way. Mind you, he found the reason why he was doing Blaise Zabini a favour, to be highly amusing as well. As usual at the Gryffindor bully-boy Quidditch reunion at Hogwarts each year, the highlight, was the grudge match between an all stars Gryffindor and Slytherin side. He hadn't gone this year because he'd been working on a case for Monday, well that had been his excuse, anyway. He just hadn't wanted to be caught mooning over Harry Potter by any of his Slytherin alumni, who would definitely use it to their advantage.
He had planned that once Severus and Granger became an item that he might have the opportunity to privately moon over Harry. So the Slytherins had taken Nott in as their seeker and Draco had stayed away. However, here was Blasie in the floo pleading with him to come, Nott had been a no-show; apparently he was sick.
Draco thought back to the evil smile on Granger's face before she'd sent the bracelet back. He would bet his late father's fortune that Nott had something unsavoury, most probably in puss filled boils, written across his face. Making a mental note to ask her tomorrow, he laughed as he agreed to come and play seeker. He would also be finding a reason to go and visit the sneaky bastard, Nott, tomorrow, this had the potential to be very good value in the right circles.
So, off he went to Hogwarts and of course, he ended up matched opposite Harry Potter, and so the games began.
Draco found that Harry, once away from his house-mates was an entirely different wizard. They hovered up away from everyone, the small amount of time that they'd had Hermione as a mutual friend had set them up well to get to know one another better. This surprised Draco, he really hadn't been looking forward to this weekend, which was why he'd previously decided not to come.
"Have you seen 'Mione this weekend?" Harry asked, as they hovered aimlessly.
"Actually we went shopping yesterday. She had a hot date today," Draco snickered.
"Oh no, not that arse, Nott?" Harry wanted to know. "I heard he stood them up today; please tell me he's not out with 'Mione?"
"Oh no, he's not out with Granger." Draco cackled, "But did you ever wonder what made him sick?"
"Don't tell me he finally got the balls to tell 'Mione he'd left?"
Draco nodded, "He sent her roses and a Dear Hermione, late Friday afternoon."
"Oh shit!" Harry said, "Is she all right?"
"Oh she's in very good hands," Draco said, smirking.
Harry's eyes narrowed, "Who's?"
"Snape's," Draco replied, just a flapping flash of gold hovered in front of them momentarily and then darted off somewhere unseen.
"Snape," Harry all but squealed. Then his eyes opened wide. "Watch out Malfoy, bludger," he said, giving Draco enough time to avoid the iron ball hurtling towards them.
"Thanks, Potter, I didn't fancy having my hair messed up today. Maybe we better make like we're doing something."
"I am doing something, Malfoy," Harry scoffed. "I'm about to beat you to the snitch," and he took of a break-neck speed as he saw the elusive golden ball fluttering around the Slytherin goalposts.
"Oh, you think so do you?" and Malfoy took off after him.
As it turned out they approached the ball one from each side and both men grabbed half at the same time. They instinctively raised their still joined hands unwilling to give the advantage to the other. Before they knew what was happening Hooch was screaming, "Tie!" and each team had one hundred and fifty points added.
This didn't help anything because the teams had been evenly matched and the score had actually been tied.
The result was disappointing for both teams, but the two seekers still partly hidden by the goal posts didn't care. They were still sitting atop their brooms hands joined, with the struggling snitch inside, and eyes locked on each other. They were both breathing hard and were flushed.
Finally glancing around the pitch they found that everyone else had left. "Better head for the showers," Harry said in a flustered voice.
Draco's eyes flicked momentarily down to Harry's crotch then back up to his face. "Great idea, Potter," and he took pity on his opposite and let go of the snitch. "Maybe you might like to keep this as a reminder of this game," he suggested.
"Yes, that might be a good idea, Malfoy, see you round," Harry squeaked and shot off on his broom towards the Gryffindor change rooms.
xox
That night they had their usual separate celebrations. Both teams decided that if they hadn't lost they could certainly celebrate. The Gryffindor celebration was at Hogwarts and the Slytherin one at The Three Broomsticks. However, the seekers from both teams couldn't actually get into the swing of things.
Harry left early and decided to go for a fly, he hadn't been on a decent night flight for so long and it usually managed to clear his head, but as he flew over Hogsmeade he saw another broom rising sharply into the air. Coming to an abrupt halt near to the new arrival, he was not actually surprised to see Draco Malfoy.
"You're not planning to fly back to London are you, Potter?"
"No, just a bit of fun." He gave Draco a mischievous grin, "Want a race?"
"Where to?"
Harry wasn't certain why he said it, "The Quidditch pitch."
"You're on, bye bye Potty," Draco cackled, and was off.
Harry muttered, "Bloody Slytherins," and shot off after him.
By the time they'd breeched the boundary of Hogwarts, Harry who really was the better flier was beside his former enemy, and they were playing silly buggers. Twirling and rolling around each other at full speed, and actually laughing uproariously.
They tumbled onto the green of the pitch, and into the shadows that surrounded the stands. Both men still cackling and panting from their exertions. Finally they managed to sit themselves up against the stand walls.
It was almost the full moon and they studied each other in the light. Harry was shocked to see how much he wanted to kiss the blond Slytherin. Certainly he had been flustered around him for a long time now, but he'd never equated it to attraction. Yet now as he sat here gazing at Draco's creamy skin, his silky hair and his plump well sculptured lips, all he wanted to do was taste them.
Harry had suspected for a long time that he wasn't straight, the fact was clear; girls just didn't do it for him. Of course he'd tried and tried to prove this idea wrong. It had been the main reason why Ginny had been eager to move on, she felt it as well and they finally realised it just wasn't going to work.
Draco was watching all kinds of emotions flit across Harry's face. If only he knew how sweet he looked when he was thinking about something. Reaching a single finger out slowly, he curled it and stroked Harry's cheek. "You're skin is so soft," he murmured.
Harry made an inarticulate noise and opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. He couldn't say he was surprised when the finger left and was replaced with the plump well sculptured lips he craved so much.
"Thank you, Harry, I enjoyed our little game, but I have a presentation to give tomorrow and I need to get back," Draco whispered, close to Harry's ear. "Would you be free for dinner on Friday evening?"
Harry felt like he was melting, his insides were flipping around so much, they felt like they were dancing a jig. "Yes," he managed in a hoarse whisper, "I'd like that, D-draco."
"Great, I'll pick you up at seven," Draco said, he gave Harry a peck on the cheek and was gone.
Harry couldn't move. A date, oh sweet Godric, I've just made a date with Draco Malfoy and I'm so turned on I feel like I'm going to explode in my pants at any second, just like a randy teenager. "I need to get home," he muttered, but still he sat there.
xox
In Edinburgh, Severus and Hermione were just finishing their dinner. Hermione sighed, "I've had a wonderful day, Severus. Thank you."
Severus actually smiled, "Yes, I must admit that even if Liftenback reminds me too much of Horace Slughorn," Hermione saw him shiver. "Your presence has revived what would have been an otherwise dull and boring day for me."
Hermione wondered what Severus' grudge against Slughorn was, and then she remembered how unfair he was with her over Harry and that damn book, and she began to understand. "I can't see why you stay at the Ministry, you're talents are so wasted there. I can see you amongst this," her hands circled the ancient room. They were currently seated in the secret garden section of a beautiful old restaurant a few streets up from the university.
His eyes seemed to flare as he said, "I have my reasons."
There was silence for a moment, and Hermione toyed with the last of her dessert. "This is a very beautiful place," she murmured, looking around at the romantic décor. "I like the old part of Edinburgh, it's very comfortable to me somehow," she continued after a small break.
Severus nodded, "Yes, I too feel comfortable here." He paused, as if thinking hard about something, then seemed to steel his nerve. "Perhaps one day I could bring you back to the theatre or museum?"
Hermione smiled, "I'd like that very much, Severus." She gingerly brought her hand, to touch his where it lay on the table. "I'm finding your company very… stimulating," and she slipped her hand into his.
"Indeed," he replied, taking her hand, linking his long fingers loosely through her smaller ones. "You are most forward, Miss Granger," he smirked, "I like that very much." His thumb caressed circles on her palm. "But perhaps it is time to call a halt to our day, we both must arrive for work tomorrow."
Sighing in answer, Hermione smirked, "Yes, we must."
It had sounded disappointed, and Severus suddenly wondered if she hated her job as much as he disliked his. He attracted the attention of the waiter, who arrived with the bill. Severus handed him a credit card and he returned with a slip for the raven-haired wizard to sign.
When Severus offered Hermione his arm as they were leaving, it felt entirely different to that morning when he'd done so merely as a courtesy. Tonight, it felt somehow more intimate, and Hermione felt very connected with him.
Severus dutifully delivered her to her door, and bowing formally, kissed her hand. "Thank you for a very pleasant day, Hermione," he stated.
"I enjoyed myself too," she replied breathily. At this moment, all Hermione could think about was inviting him in. However, she decided that they had left Edinburgh because they both needed to sleep, and besides she was not certain he would think much of her if she did so on their first date. "I hope I'll see you soon?"
"I hope so too," Severus replied, and with another bow, he apparated away.
It was all a little confusing, after she'd closed the door, she leant up against it. He was being so formal with her, hadn't he been the one who admitted to looking up her skirt all those weeks ago. She had thought he would be more forward, but he hadn't even kissed her goodnight, apart from her hand, and Draco's words came back to her as she held her hand up in front of her face. He's a very traditional wizard.
She pushed off the door, and of course there was also the fact that even though it technically ended five weeks ago, she was fresh out of a relationship and shouldn't rush into being too intimate in a new one just yet, she reasoned with herself, but she hoped that he was pleased with her.
Severus had now arrived home, and was reflecting on the day as well. I hope she doesn't think I wasn't happy, but I wanted to kiss her and I didn't think it was appropriate; she's just out of a relationship. I'll send her flowers tomorrow and another invitation, yes that should be appropriate, and next time, there definitely will be kissing… where will I take her? he pondered.
