Chapter Four – First Date

HPOV

I was thrilled to receive Draco's response of yes to my invitation. I had asked he meet me in a restaurant in Ireland that I had recently discovered. I decided to wear a nice dress that was tasteful but still showed off the body I had gained from travelling around with little food. I was slim but I had womanly curves around my chest and hips. This dark purple dress hugged me well on the top and flared out around my hips. It was perfect for dancing which this restaurant actually had so I was looking forward to meeting Draco. He was renowned at Hogwarts and I was especially glad to be meeting somewhere far away from that world. I grabbed my purse and got into a car, heading for the restaurant.

He was standing at the door of the restaurant wearing an emerald button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up halfway and black slacks with a bouquet of white flowers in his hand.

"Hello, Granger, you look ravishing this evening."

"Thank you Draco, you don't look so bad yourself." I said while smirking.

His eyes flickered a little when I used his first name but he recovered quickly. He offered me his arm and I took it, entering inside.

"Table for two, please."

We were led to a fairly secluded table in the back where we could see everything in the restaurant. There were several couples on the dance floor, dancing to the music of a pianist in the corner. The restaurant had fairly dim lighting and this helped offer couples at the tables more privacy. I had been here alone last time and I found it much more romantic with a companion. We sat down and Draco acted the role of perfect gentleman, holding out my chair for me and pushing it in. He sat down and we quickly ordered our meal.

"So, to what do I owe this pleasure of a meeting, Miss Granger?"

"Well, I wanted to catch up with you Draco, and please, call me Hermione, we aren't enemies anymore as far as I am concerned."

"Well, Miss Hermione, I was most pleased to receive your owl."

"And why was that?"

"I looked forward to putting our pasts from school behind us of course. I was merely jealous of you at school and I tormented you because I wished I had caught your eye. You were the smartest girl of our year and I was the smartest boy, we would have owned the school."

I froze with my glass of water at my lips, in shock at Draco's words.

"You can't possibly be serious."

"I am dead serious, Hermione Granger. I fancied you in school…believe it."

"You, Draco Malfoy, sex god of Hogwarts, liked me but you never even hit on me."

"You forget, I paid you quite a bit of personalized attention."

"That caused me pain!"

"Well, I was a little immature with the girl I truly thought about."

I chuckled at that and inhaled deeply at the scent of the meals being delivered to our table.

We continued to talk over dinner about various recent goings-on at the Ministry and in the world in general. I was amazed at how scintillating the conversation was with Draco. He was so intelligent and witty. He had me laughing and smiling while we debated back and forth. I couldn't help realizing how contagious his laugh was and how incredibly attractive his smile was. It was impossible not to smile whenever he did.

When I had finished my dinner, Draco offered his hand to me and I took it cautiously. He guided me toward the dance floor and wrapped one hand around my waist. He began to lead me across the floor, twirling me around as we danced to the music. I smiled broadly as his body would press against mine as we weaved between the other couples on the floor. Dancing with Draco was a dream. He danced divinely, a true gift from the gods. He even knew the words to a few of the songs the pianist was playing and he would pull me closer during those songs and sing the words to me in my ear. I quickly learned he was a gifted singer as well as a dancer. I was floating as we headed to the door. He grabbed my jacket and slid it on my shoulders, lingering his fingers around my shoulders and neck. I sighed as his warm flesh hit mine which was quickly becoming cold in the fall air.

He walked me over to my car and leaned against it, standing close.

"So you know how to drive a car?"

"Of course, don't you?"

"I prefer brooms honestly. My parents didn't really feel a need for cars as we never entered a Muggle area except Kings Cross."

"You are a man of many secrets Draco."

"You are a woman of incredible beauty."

I blushed furiously in the moonlight and hid my face. I felt Draco's fingers under my chin and looked at him. He leaned in and gently kissed me on the lips. Even this gentle kiss sent fireworks off in my heart. I knew I was falling hard for Draco and I smiled at him.

"Will you meet me next week at a beach here, Draco?"

"Certainly, I look forward to it."

"As do I. I will send you an owl with more precise coordinates."

"I eagerly await it."

I watched as he walked around the side of the building to apparate out and I got in the car to go home, still flying from Draco's kiss.