'Hermione, dear!' Hermione whirled around to give another lady yet another a hug, while Draco had to restrain himself from rolling his eyes.
'Mrs. Bennett!' Hermione gave her a smile as the older lady hugged Hermione, before pulling away and eyeing her.
'My, little Hermione's not so little anymore!' Mrs. Bennett said. Draco was standing beside Hermione, and he was doing an excellent job of looking interested, something he had to thank his Father for, when the truth was he was bored out of his brains. If I have to hear one more 'Oh, Hermione, you've grown!' I swear I'm going to hex someone. Oh wait, you can't swear in a church, sorry, dear Lord. He rolled his eyes.
'And she's got herself a young man too!' Mrs. Bennett turned her attention to Draco, who immediately straightened at the mention of his name, and she eyed him up too. She grasped his hand, not even waiting for him to extend it and shook it. Draco winced a bit through the smile he knew could charm anyone and flexed his fingers behind his back when she released it. Does everyone in this bloody town take a strength pill every morning, or is it just me?
'Nice to meet you, Mrs. Bennett.' Came his instant reply. Everyone was complimenting Hermione on her latest beau, and Draco figured all he had to do was give them his most charming smile and muttering a few pleasantries would get them off his back.
'Please, call me Marge!' she laughed, waving her hands about. She held Draco by the shoulders. 'Nice looking too, Hermione.' She commented, giving Hermione a coy smile. Hermione blushed.
'He's already egoistical enough, Mrs. Bennett; no need to inflate his ego anymore.' Hermione reminded her, sticking her tongue out when Draco scowled at her.
'Oh, adorable! Young love, really!' Mrs. Bennett laughed, and grabbed both of Draco's hands with both of her frail looking ones. 'Better take good care of Hermione, or I suppose Will will be after you, if you didn't. And best make sure she doesn't get snapped up by Ben!' She laughed, before looking at her watch. 'Oh, I must be going. Do drop by for tea soon, Hermione! And... Draco, was it? Yes, well, ta!' And she walked away. Or maybe sashayed. Draco cocked his head to the side. How was it that an old woman could still be so... energetic? Grandmother's as sullen as a bat while Marge's like a ball of sun.
'I thought you said this was church,' Draco bent down to mutter into Hermione's ear, 'and not the Meet-Hermione-And-Draco party.' He didn't care if he sounded like a whiny 5-year old. He had to complain about it to somebody or he'd go mad. He suddenly missed Blaise; his mate would know what to do to liven up this boring fest, but Blaise would most probably be with Potter, doing God knows what. He shuddered, trying to force the graphic image down.
'Yes, but well, you know what it's like, don't you! They're practically family; they've all watched me grow up. It's natural that they want to see what boy Hermione has brought back.' Hermione giggled as Draco held her waist, making the both of them face each other.
'Yeah, that's me, Hermione Granger's latest boy-toy,' Draco said, before leaning his lips over hers.
'Ahem!' The two of them broke apart and looked up to see... Ben. Draco shot Ben a look of murder whereas Hermione wasn't sure what to do. She bit her lip and looked at her feet.
'It's a church. Have some decency, beaver.' Ben laughed, as he extended his hand to Draco. 'I believe we got off on a wrong-foot last night.'
Draco looked at Ben, to his hand, and back to Ben again, trying to decipher any hint of insincerity. Wasn't this boy just accusing Draco of attempting to rape Hermione just last night? And now here he was, extending his hand wanting to make peace so easily? Draco mentally frowned, something was up, but he just didn't know what.
Hermione looked at Draco nervously, then to Ben, who looked confused, and back to Draco. It was hard to see what he was thinking under that carefully arranged mask of features to look bored yet alert at the same time. His eyes were still fixed on Ben's. Come on, she urged silently, just take the hand already!
'I suppose.' Draco finally said, before taking Ben's hand and gave it a firm shake. Hermione could have sworn she saw Ben flex his fingers behind his back. Trust Draco to try botch up this making-up moment.
'Yes, well, it's time to start over, then.' Hermione jumped a bit, so she was in the middle. 'Draco, met Ben. Ben, meet Draco.' She gave a little curtsy as she took a step back to Draco's side.
'Hi Draco, I'm Ben.' Ben said with exaggerated enthusiasm, mocking Hermione. Hermione laughed and gave him a light punch. Draco raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything more.
'Yes, well, er, Ben, how's Anna?' Hermione asked, trying her best to glide over this obviously awkward moment.
'Fine, she's been sick on and off this month; the doctor gave her multiple jabs already, but she doesn't seem to be getting better.' Ben looked at his feet. 'Hopefully she'll get better soon.'
'Anna's your girlfriend?' Draco inquired.
'No, she's my dog.' Ben replied, laughing as if Draco had pranced around him with a pink tutu. Draco scowled, how could he feel for such creatures? They slobber over everything and are forever leaving a trail of destruction behind them.
'You should see her, Draco, she's beautiful.' Hermione urged, 'I've known her since Ben brought her back from the shelter.'
'Lovely.' Draco said, but his tone and expression said otherwise. Draco knew both Hermione and Ben were trying their best to make this making-up solution work, but Draco wasn't cooperating, purposely. He doesn't just make-up with the person who tried to accuse him of raping his own woman; he was a Slytherin, after all. They aren't known for being jerks for nothing.
'Ah, Hermione, there are some scones being sold down the street, would you like some? I know you love them.' Ben said.
'Yes, that sounds lovely.' Hermione smiled as Ben walked out of the church. Then she realized what Draco said was right; today's church session seemed more of a gathering. Even Father John was talking to the other churchgoers, and not doing his regular sermons. She then remembered the task beforehand and dragged Draco to a corner.
'Draco, what's the matter with you?' She asked the moment she made sure they were hidden from most of the public view.
'Whatever am I doing wrong, Hermione?' he asked innocently.
'Don't give me that. Ben was clearly trying to make amends for last night, but you aren't even playing along.' Hermione reprimanded.
'Maybe because I know he has a motive.' Draco offered. 'Hermione, people don't just make amends out of the blue; they always have a reason. And it's pretty obvious he does too.'
'Stop being so cynical! Ben's a great guy, I've known him for the longest time, and I know what he's like.' Hermione protested.
'You know, for some reason he reminds me of Weasley; they always do, before thinking,' Draco paused, before adding, 'Actually I wonder if Weasley is capable of thinking.'
'That's not the point, Draco.' Hermione insisted. 'The point is, that you should give Ben another chance.' She paused. 'And Ron does have his intelligent moments.'
'If he's like Weasley the chances of us getting along is close to zero.' Draco reminded her, causing her to bite her lip in annoyance. She inhaled slowly, obviously trying to restrain herself from yelling. That would only work with Harry and Ron. With Draco it was always a different tactic. Draco watched her with an amused expression. She wrapped her arms around his waist, before pulling him closer.
'Draco, darling,' her tone taking a softer side, 'if you'd just be civil towards Ben, I'll reward you with lots,' a kiss on the forehead, 'and lots,' a kiss on the cheek, 'of love.' A kiss on the throat. She looked up to find that Draco's eyes were mercury now, and not the hard glinting silver they were just a few moments ago. He seemed to be lost in his fantasies; his lips were pursed and he seemed to be thinking over his end of the bargain.
'Just for this church session.' Draco said. Hermione wanted to let him go and huff away in annoyance, but she knew he wouldn't mind; at least not now, in fact, he seemed to like being the jerk she knew in their earlier years of schooling.
'All right, just for this church session.' Hermione acquiesced in his bargain, before giving him the faintest brush of her lips on his lips. She ached to deepen it but she knew that it was bound to be soon that somebody saw them. She released him gently, albeit reluctantly and took his hand. 'Come on, we still have half of the church goers to meet.' She laughed at the horrified expression that took over Draco's face.
'Hermione! There you are!' Hermione whirled around and gave a squeal of delight. She let go off Draco and ran towards this much older woman, who was dressed in a modest collared-up ruffles shirt and black pencil-line skirt. Draco guessed she was about 70 odd years old, and watched in amusement as Hermione gave her an affectionate hug, although she had to stoop down to do so, and then she gave a little twirl to let the woman see her.
'Draco!' Hermione suddenly remembered, beckoning for Draco to come. Draco had to bite his tongue from laughing; Hermione looked just as excited as she had looked when she had just come home, it was almost comical. He walked over to Hermione and companion in his confident stride and met the woman with the extension of a hand.
'Nice to meet you, Mrs...?'
'Sod all of it, call me Lily.' She said, shaking Draco's hand.
Draco couldn't put his finger on it, but the woman seemed to exude some sort of haughty confidence even in her voice. This was unusual for women her age, when most of them usually stayed at home and had Bingo Friday nights, and he hadn't even seen it on his own grandmother, who was about her age. His grandmother was scary, no doubt to it, but she had a more subtle feel; her voice was no more than a whisper but it was enough to make Draco behave well around her, and her movements were delicate and yet firm. Lily's was bold and outright, despite her choice of subdued dressing, and her voice definitely confirmed it.
'Nice to meet you, Lily. I'm Draco Malfoy.' Draco said, giving Hermione the subtlest gesture for her to introduce him to the woman she'd left him in a dash of run for.
'Ah, I'm Hermione's Grandmother. I'll bet my charming granddaughter didn't tell you about me yet.' Lily shot a look at Hermione, who instantly flushed.
'I didn't know you were coming, Gran! If you did I would have told Draco all about you! It's still so great to see you, nonetheless.' She gave another squeal of excitement as she gave her Grandmother another hug.
'She tends to get a bit... excited.' Lily told Draco with an apologetic smile over Hermione's shoulder.
'I know how she gets.' Draco nodded in agreement, an apprising smile appearing on his lips before he could acknowledge it.
'That's Hermione for you.' Lily finished with a laugh, patting Hermione on the cheek. 'Now, Hermione, tell me where can I get a bottle of sherry, perhaps? My flight attendant thought it was 'inappropriate' for a woman of 'my age' to be drinking anything with an alcohol content. I talked to the captain as well, but he thought the same. Sad people, really. Now, where's the sherry?' She clapped her hands together, looking around hopefully, as if a bottle of sherry would appear out of nowhere.
'Flight?' Draco asked, his eyebrow raised.
'Gran lives in New York,' Hermione explained, giving her Grandmother a pointed look. 'She refused to move back to London even after Grandfather passed away.'
'George and I met in New York, and since he died on its soil, so shall I.' Lily objected, returning Hermione's pointed look with a firm look of hers. She asked a passing older man, 'Excuse me, where's the sherry?'
Hermione realized it after it was too late that Gran had just asked Father John, the pastor. Oops.
'Sorry, M'am, but we do not serve sherry in the church.' Father John informed her politely, before offering her a tight smile. 'How about some English tea?'
Lily looked offended at being offered tea. 'Tea? I can have English tea all I want later, but right now I need a good dose of sherry!' Lily stood upright, and even though she wasn't very tall, Father John was taken aback, and he looked like he was wishing that it wasn't him trying to persuade Lily out of drinking sherry.
'It's all right, Father John, we'll handle this.' Hermione said, holding Lily's opposite shoulder to stop Lily from spewing lectures to poor Father John. Father John gave her look that seemed to say 'Thank the Lord' before walking off.
'Honestly, what sort of church is this if they don't serve sherry!' Lily huffed.
'Lily,' Draco cleared his throat so that he had both of the women's attention. He discreetly held up a small silver flask. Lily's eyes opened wide as she took the flask excitedly.
'Oh, is this sherry?' she asked in an excited voice. With a nod from Draco she clasped her hands together happily. 'Thank you, Draco! Now if you'll excuse me, Hermione dear, I will be outside enjoying this sherry!' she winked and walked away.
'How did you conjure it? You can't, you know, Food is the first of the five Principal Exceptions to Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration.' Hermione asked, astonished.
Draco shrugged. 'I didn't. I always carry one around with me. Never know when I'd need it.'
'Oh, thank you!' Hermione gushed as she threw her arms around him. 'Not for being a semi-alcoholic, I mean. You've just saved us from a long lecture from Gran on how different churches in London are from churches in New York. Although I'm not exactly sure churches in New York serves sherry either.' Hermione frowned, lost in her thoughts. Draco could practically see the gears in her head whirling to make a mental note to make a trip to the library to check if they did.
'So here I am, your great savior, and you call me a 'semi-alcoholic'?' Draco asked, bringing their foreheads together. 'Not very grateful, are you.'
'Who else carries a tiny flask of sherry around with him if he's not a semi-alcoholic!" Hermione inquired.
'Blaise, that's who. Oh, and Theodore. Pretty much most of the Slytherins. Never know when it might come in handy. And trust me, it just did.' Draco reminded her.
'No wonder you Slytherin boys always seem to be a tad high.' Hermione insisted. Draco merely chuckled and pressed his lips to her forehead.
'Then it that case, you are in love with an alcoholic.' Draco commented.
'Just like Kate Moss. Only that you aren't into drugs, thank the Lord.' Hermione smiled. Draco's eyebrows wrinkled in confusion.
'What's Kate Moss? Is it some sort of herb?'
Hermione laughed. 'No, I should have remembered that you don't know about Muggle celebrities. She's a stick thin model who dates this drug addict, who's also an alcoholic. Come to think of it, she used to be a drug addict herself. Nope, I do not want to be like Kate Moss.' Hermione concluded, talking to herself more than talking to Draco.
'Your Muggle celebrities are so weird.' Draco tutted.
'Like you aren't.' Hermione retorted. 'Remind me how did we start talking about Kate Moss again?'
'You digress.' Draco simply said. Hermione giggled as the both of them simultaneously lowered/offered their lips to meet, but sprang apart the moment Ben said, 'Hermione! Your scones!'
Draco gritted his teeth in annoyance as he tried to keep his temper down. This was about the third bloody time this Ben character had disrupted their intimate moment. One more strike, and he was out.
'Uh, Ben!' Hermione tried to mask her embarrassment with a bright tone to match Ben's. 'Thanks.' She took the scones from him and took a bite. It was yummy to the core and was still fresh from the oven.
'Tastes fab. God, Draco, try one.' Hermione offered her scone to Draco, not missing the flicker of disapproval on Ben's face, and Draco took a bite.
'Lovely.' He said, but he held Hermione's gaze and kissed her index finger that was holding the scone, making it clear that he enjoyed the person who offered the scone more than the scone itself.
'Was that Lily I saw outside?' Ben asked, breaking up the moment again. Draco screamed in his head. Okay, maybe I could just do one of the stronger Stinging Hex, just when nobody's looking... Yes, sounds good.
'Oh, yes, Gran wanted sherry, and Draco happened to have some.' Hermione said, before taking another bite. 'And these are really good!'
'I know how much you love them, Hermione, remember the time you shoved down so many scones you had a tummy ache?' Ben laughed a little too forcefully, before turning to Draco. 'I was up with her the entire night, you know!'
No, of course I don't know, because I wouldn't let Hermione scarf down enough scones to make her stomach hurt, you great imbecile, Draco answered darkly. He kept his expression neutral and light, but Hermione didn't miss the flashing rage of storm in his eyes.
'Of course, Hermione told me all about it.' Draco replied in his normal silky tone, but Hermione didn't miss the undertone of anger. Apparently Ben didn't either; his expression immediately brightened.
'Did she? Oh, did she tell you about the time we had our first drink? We just kept drinking till we got really wasted and we woke up the next morning with the worst hangover ever.' Ben informed him.
A light bulb lit up in Draco's head. So this was Ben's plan; to get Draco jealous of the long history he and Hermione had. Well, I bet in that long history of yours you've never made her moan like I did, you incorrigible snit. Draco thought with a smirk.
'Really. I suggest this hangover cure that's really good. Works for a headache too.' Draco said.
'Really?' Ben asked, seemingly astonished.
'Yeah, you just bang your head on the nearest wall. It'd be lights out for a couple of hours; should be long enough for the hangover to subside.' Draco replied with a straight face. Hermione started laughing, much to the annoyance of Ben.
'Really, Draco, you don't get enough credit for your wit.' Hermione laughed as she leaned her head on his shoulder and sighed contentedly. 'Apparently I'm the only one who can stand it.'
'I learn from the best.' Draco haughtily replied, and made an exaggerated bow, which sent Hermione into another fit of laughter.
'I'll see you later, Hermione.' Ben said, removing himself from the scene. He added bitterly, 'Enjoy the scones.' And stormed off.
'God, I thought he'd never leave.' Draco muttered as he took a scone from the bag Hermione was holding.
'Don't be so mean,' Hermione frowned, and snapped her teeth at him.
'Who's being mean here?' Draco teased. 'But you know what he was going on at, don't you?'
'Yeah, I guess.' Hermione shrugged. 'God, what's wrong with the male population?' Hermione groaned.
'Being unable to resist a woman like you is completely normal for our level of testosterone.' Draco pointed out.
Hermione rolled her eyes and gave the blond a playful shove.
'Let's just hope things will turn out better. Maybe he'd give up.' Hermione suggested brightly.
'Maybe he won't, either. Let's just hope things won't turn out the way it did with Weasley; you almost killed yourself, and you're still friends with the brute.' Draco frowned in disapproval at the last point.
'Ron is a wonderful friend, and so is Ben. I wouldn't want to lose them.' Hermione defended them.
'You know, I always wondered, why don't you ever hang out with girls? You're always around boys.' Draco asked.
'I do hang out with girls; Ginny.' Hermione pointed out.
'I said girls, Hermione, not girl. Ginny Weasley is the only girl you ever talk to on a long-term basis. Before her, you didn't even talk much to the female population of the level. Were you that horny even from First Year to hang around boys all day long?' Draco teased.
'No, I believe that was you, you titillated arse,' Hermione smirked. She thought for a while. 'I think I liked boys better because they were more honest. There's nothing subtle to them, unless they were a Slytherin. They aren't like girls; all sneaky and sometimes even bitchy. Boys are open and direct; much better to the way I prefer. Gin's got all these brothers, so she is pretty much like one herself.' Hermione shrugged.
'The She-Weasel might just hex your woman bits off if she heard that.' Draco reminded her.
'I meant in terms of personality! But other than that Gin's about as womanly as I am.' Hermione said. 'I mean, haven't you seen half of the male population drooling over her?'
'Yeah, even some Slytherin boys.' Draco frowned in disgust. 'You'd think with that temper people would stay away.'
'Gin's nice, it's just that she has a very strong personality.' Hermione defended her.
'All right, enough talking about the She-Weasel. When's this church going to end?' Draco looked around, frowning.
'Just as soon as Father John says so.' Hermione glanced at the clock. 'In about half an hour I suppose.' She shrugged.
'Half an hour?' Draco echoed. 'Oh great, how long have we been here?' he groaned.
'Oh, stop whining, you great big baby,' Hermione laughed, 'It's only been an hour or so.'
'And that isn't enough?' Draco asked.
'God, I wonder how Blaise could stand your whining.' Hermione mock-groaned, and laughed when Draco picked her up and swung her around a bit.
'He didn't; he will hex me to shut up,' Draco said.
'And I have half a mind to do so now.' Hermione agreed.
'Did I mention I'd hex him back so badly that he had to make multiple trips to Madam Pomfrey?' Draco added casually. Hermione's grin slid off her face.
'You're such a killjoy!' She pouted and ran off. Draco stared after her, an easy smile falling into place.
'Draco, dear, here.' Lily tapped him on the shoulder and handed him his flask, which was relatively empty.
'Oh, right.' Draco accepted the flask and placed it back into his pocket, after making a mental note to Scourgify the flask two times over.
'Lovely bit of sherry, dear, but there was a fine hint of something that I can't put my finger on.' Lily tapped her chin.
'I got the recipe from my Father.' Draco informed her.
'Ah, explains.' Lily gave a slight smile, before looking around.
'Sorry, were you looking for somebody?' Draco asked.
'Oh, no, lovie, all right, Draco, was it? Yes, well, tell me, how long have you been with Hermione?' Lily moved closer, scrutinizing Draco's face with her eyes.
'A few months, now.' Draco admitted.
'A few months! And she even brought you back home to meet dad and mum! So you two have got to be close eh?' Lily gave a grin.
'Yes, we are. In fact, I'm planning to bring her to meet my mother sometime soon.'
'Mother? What about dear old Father?' Lily inquired, suddenly taking a huge interest.
'Father and I do not see eye-to-eye.' Draco explained. 'He doesn't approve of Hermione.'
'So she's met him?'
'Oh yes, quite a number of times. My Father's quite a prominent figure in the Ministry of Magic, so he's made some appearances in the school. And well, Father's prejudiced like that. I think it'd be best if we do not anger him.'
'Ah, so you're afraid of bringing Hermione back to your Father?' Lily asked, sounding more accusing that questioning.
'No, not at all. For one, both Hermione and Father are characters, and their views on matters are worlds apart. I wouldn't want Hermione to get upset, nor for Father to get too agitated. His heart isn't very well.' If he even has a heart, Draco added strong silently.
'Ah, I see. So, what do you think of Hermione so far?' Lily asked.
'I think she's a delightful woman to be of companionship with. She's witty; I'll give her that. Conversations with her are never dry. And of course, she has a huge brain. God, she tops our level every year.' Draco mock complained, giving Lily half a smile. He knew he should save the remarks on her looks for the last, or it'd make it look like he was only with her for her looks. 'And of course, the fact that she's stunning helps as well.'
'Ah yes, my Hermione's grown into a little woman.' Lily gazed after her Granddaughter, a light smile appearing on her lips. Then she turned to Draco, with a frown. 'You wouldn't hurt her, would you?'
'No, not a chance.' Draco immediately said.
'Because, forgive me, but if my memory serves right, the two of you had never gotten along well, am I right? Hermione complained to me sometimes about a certain Draco Malfoy in her school, and I'm quite certain there is only one Draco Malfoy in her level.' Lily gazed at Draco with an accusation in her eyes.
Oh come off it, you might as well just accuse me of shoving a love potion down her throat.
'It's true that we've had our... differences. Hermione clipped me in my jaw once, in our Third Year, did she tell you?' Draco rubbed his jaw absent-mindedly.
'Yes, she wrote about it in her letter. She was absolutely bursting with happiness that she did.' Lily stated.
'Yes well, as I've said; differences. But now that we're older and more mature, we'd given it a go.' Draco explained.
'Given it a go, you say. Well, hear me properly, Draco,' Lily brought her face so close to Draco's that he could smell the sherry on her breath. This was quite a feat for a woman of her size. 'You hurt her blessed heart of gold and rest assured I'd be after you in a heartbeat. I know that you've got a fancy wand and all that, but I've got more contacts that you most probably do. I don't know what she was thinking, bringing you here and upsetting poor old Ben. He drank the rest of my sherry just now, did you know? No, you wouldn't know. But anyway, remember, when you do mess up, Draco, Ben will be there for her.' She pulled away, a bright smile appearing on her face, 'So excuse me now, it's time to go look for more sherry!' she announced merrily and swaggered away.
Draco looked after he, astonished. Did this 70 odd year old woman justthreaten him? Him, Draco Malfoy? That was just surreal. What did the old bat have against him anyway? She'd only known him for an odd 15 minutes, and he'd even offered his sherry to her! Which reminds me, Draco took out his flask and stared at it disgustedly, that dog Ben drank from it too. He looked at the silver flask –real silver—that had ornate carvings on it, felt a sinking in his stomach. No way am I going to drink from it if Ben has. Shame, though, it's pretty. He walked to the nearest bin and dumped it in.
'I thought you needed a flask to carry around your handy sherry.' Hermione murmured as she threw her arms around his neck, giving him a tight hug from the back.
'Ah, so there's the mysterious runaway lady.' Draco chuckled. He turned around to face her. 'Yes, you do need a flask but your darling Grandmother let Ben drink from it too.' He wrinkled his nose distastefully.
'You seemed a little more than pissed,' Hermione observed. Draco wondered if to tell her what Lily just told him, but decided against it. He'd have to play it out with Lily and see what she's up to first, before telling Hermione anything. After all, maybe Lily got pissed easily and wasn't coherent when she was talking to Draco. No point kicking up a fuss with Hermione's family members.
'Oh, no, why would I be?' Draco questioned, reigning in his expression just in time. If Hermione saw his face sans his mask, she'd know in a flash that he was hiding something from her.
'Nothing, you just... seem a bit different.' Hermione cocked her head to the side, scrutinizing Draco's face. He felt a bit uncomfortable, the way he'd feel when his Father was reprimanding him or staring at him bleakly with those ice gray eyes Draco had come to inherit. But for goodness sake's, this was Hermione they were talking about. Since when was he ever uncomfortable lying? And besides, Hermione's chocolate brown eyes and Lucius' glacial ones were world's apart. Draco gave her a smile, before entwining their fingers together.
'So, who else do I have to meet? Or do we finally start praying for forgiveness from Father Christ?' Draco asked, walking slowly.
'Oh, you know, Mom thought this was a bit too much so we're leaving in about ten minutes. I don't think there'll be any praying today; even Father John's not doing his sermons.'
'Then what, did we come to church for, when we could be doing things so much more...' he twirled a lock of her blonde hair, 'entertaining?'
'You're heinous,' Hermione laughed. 'Everyone was just excited to meet you. Be grateful.'
'They're only excited because little old Hermione had never brought back a male.' Draco corrected her. 'So we're leaving in ten minutes?'
'Look at you, you look delighted to leave!' Hermione laughed, squirming when Draco tickled her.
'Of course I am. I'm still waiting to be showered with your lots and lots of love.' Draco reminded her with a smug smile.
A/N: Sorry if this isn't up to par; nowadays my writing seems to be taking a toll. ): Hope you still enjoy this longer-than-usual chapter though!
