I've decided against adding a character to the tags as it would just mislead people, and no, it isn't Ron nor Theo haha. A few of you were worried, so I just figured I'd reassure you.
Please take me to places, that nobody, nobody knows
-Gangsta, Kehlani
"What's her name?"
Ron lifted his head, eyes wide, almost comically so, as he regarded her still frame. Hermione then wondered if she looked as distraught as she felt. She wasn't sure, but she was sure of the way her heart had not slowed down for even a second after he'd confessed to her. Her stomach felt heavy, as if she'd just swallowed an anvil and her arms had gone numb.
Somehow, she had known something bad was going to happen that day. All morning, she'd had the most sour taste in her mouth, contributing to the feeling of nausea swirling around within her stomach. Now, it all made sense.
"What…?"
"Her name, Ronald. What is her name? After all, this is the girl who has succeeded in tempting you not once, but three times…," she trailed off, feeling sick just saying it aloud.
Ron swallowed, shaking his head.
"I don't think that's necessa-."
"For fuck's sake, Ron! What the hell is her name?"
Ron started, taken aback by her out of character behavior, and it was then that she was sure he could see the tears in her eyes. The tears she had been trying so desperately hard to hold back. She had been trying so hard to be strong, but it was growing difficult the heavier her heart got. The love of her life, the handsome boy who she'd loved for as long as she could remember was slipping through her fingers…and she didn't know what to do.
He sighed, rubbing his hands together before saying;
"Lavender."
Hermione nodded, internally scoffing at the pretty name. She'd bet that she was some gorgeous golden-haired girl with tons of friends and an outgoing personality. After all, that was always his type in Secondary School and even 'til they graduated. 'Til he started dating her.
Hermione looked down, playing with her fingers, not sure what to say next. She brought them further into her lap as Ron reached out to her, eyebrows furrowing at her behavior.
"I'm so sorry, Hermione."
She sighed, exhaling rather loudly as she swallowed. She wasn't sure if she believed him or not, but she wanted to. She wanted to believe that he was remorseful, and that this whole nightmare could just be a thing of the past. After all, she loved him…
"It's not okay, so I won't say that it is. I don't…," she glanced up "…I don't know how you could do this to someone you claimed to love not even three days ago, but I love you. I want this to work- I want us to work, so I'm willing to try and move past this…"
Hermione trailed off as Ron frowned, eyes troubled as he looked away.
"It's not that simple…"
Hermione blinked, body growing cold as she processed his words.
"What do you mean?"
Hermione was far from stupid, she knew what he meant, but she had hoped… She'd thought she was enough.
"I…don't know what I want," he confessed.
She was standing now, heart breaking for a second time that afternoon as she looked at him like he was mental.
"How can you not know? What does that even mean, Ronald? You've known me your entire life, and you…you hardly even know this girl!"
His eyes met hers, and Hermione took a sharp inhale of breath. It was there, hidden, but still there in his eyes. It was a look of wonder, wondering what being with this girl would be like. Wondering what it would be like to hold her, kiss her, love her…love this girl who wasn't her. Hermione wrapped her arms around herself. He didn't have to say it, but she knew.
He wanted to know this girl.
"I'm sorry," he said again.
He stood too, and Hermione's face crumbled as she turned away from him, knowing that this was the end of this conversation. He was going to walk out of that door, and there was a chance she wouldn't ever get to hold him again or kiss him. He was quiet, and she imagined that he was staring at her, trying to find the words to somehow make this better, easier.
"I never wanted to hurt you, Hermione…"
She didn't reply, and eventually he just left. She only collapsed when the sound of his car disappeared down the street.
"You do know that you really don't have to come tonight. Mum and dad will completely understand. Hell, she even told me that it would be better for you not to rush this. If you need more time-."
"It's been two years, Ginny," Hermione sighed.
Ginny frowned as they descended down the steps, her bottom lip pulled between her teeth with worry as she gazed at her friend. Hermione knew that Ginny was just concerned, trying to be a good friend, but she would be lying if she said it wasn't a bit irritating. She knew that she had been the absolute worst version of herself when Ron left, she knew that more than anyone. However, like she'd said, that was two years ago. The whole ordeal had definitely opened her eyes and whatever feelings she had for Ron no longer existed.
He would be in her life, yes. After all, he was Ginny's brother and Harry's closest friend. However, that's all he ever would be. Not only had he destroyed their relationship, but he'd ruined their friendship as well, and Hermione supposed that was what hurt the most when it came down to it. They'd been friends for years before they started dating, and while it hurt that a boyfriend could do such a thing to his girlfriend, it hurt even worse that a friend could do that to a friend.
"I know. I just…we all know how much he meant to you, and I know that he hurt you more than you ever cared to let me know," Ginny responded.
"I understand. I can't fault you for being worried, but I promise you… It's going to be fine. I haven't been by in ages and I want to see everyone. Even Charlie is coming! There's no way I'd miss it," Hermione reassured.
She suddenly frowned, a vision of an imposing blond man coming to mind. She bit her lip, thinking.
"Although…there is a chance I might be a bit late. A last minute thing came up yesterday, and it's kind of important…"
"Really? Any chance you'll tell me what it is?"
"It's a…business thing. It's a very long and complicated story, but I will be there," Hermione answered.
Ginny skeptically eyed Hermione.
"A business thing or a date? I swear, if you are missing out on a date just for this stupid welcoming party I'll-."
"It's not a date, promise. Just let everyone know that I'll be a little late," Hermione rushed to say.
Ginny put her hands up, conceding before looking around.
"Where's your car?"
"Theo gave me a ride this morning. His class ends in a few minutes," Hermione answered, purposefully avoiding Ginny's gaze.
Ginny exhaled, and Hermione tensed, preparing herself for another lecture.
"Hermione, can I ask you something?"
Hermione eyed her, crossing her arms over her chest before reluctantly nodding.
"Are you and Theo-?" She cut herself off, pursing her lips before continuing, "You two are just friends right? That's all you've ever been, correct?"
Hermione hesitated, eyes widening a fraction before she gave a jerky nod.
"Hermione, we can't," he murmured against her lips, pushing her away from him.
She blinked, lightly shaking her head before saying;
"Why would you ask me that?"
"I know we've had this fight a million times, and I'm sorry, but it's just that the two of you are so close… He's just not good company, and sometimes I get skeptical that you could genuinely care for him so much without the influence of…other emotions," she reluctantly confessed.
Hermione reared back, insulted on Teddy's behalf. She knew that Ginny didn't care for her dark haired best friend at all, but to imply that there was nothing likeable or redeemable about him lest she was trying to get inside of his pants was downright…offensive.
She scoffed, attempting to hide her irritation.
"He's been a great friend to me, more than you know. You don't know him like I do, Ginny," Hermione defended.
"You don't even know him! I…I've heard awful things about him, Hermione. I've heard that he's mixed up in all sorts of shady business, the kind you see on movies and TV shows that-."
"Enough. I'm sick of having this same conversation with you."
"Aren't you ever curious? I know you've heard the same things I've heard and-."
"I don't care. Yeah, hard to believe, right? I don't care, Ginny, he's my best friend. He's been there for me more times than I can count, and no amount of 'thank you's' will ever be enough. Am I naïve enough to believe that he's this all around great guy you'd bring home to mum and dad? No! I know that there's a part of his life he keeps me in the dark about, and he's entitled to that. It's none of my business," she snapped.
Ginny shook her head, eyes hard.
"That's incredibly stupid of you," she hissed.
"He's not a bad person. No one is perfect…"
Ginny was just about to open her mouth to retort when she looked over Hermione's shoulder and clenched her jaw. Hermione turned to see Teddy a few yards away, making his way towards them with a crooked smile attached to his lips. Hermione swallowed, giving Ginny a warning look as she clutched her bag to her shoulder.
"I can't believe we're in Uni and some professors are still pulling that 'only I dismiss you' crap," he complained.
Hermione chuckled, and wondered if he could sense the tension in the air. Nonetheless, he threw Ginny a smile and a greeting.
"Weasley. You ready?" he asked, turning to face her.
"Yeah," she said, walking in the direction of his car without as much as a backwards glance at Ginny.
She knew that Ginny was just trying to be a good friend, she couldn't fault her for that, but there always came a point where some things just needed to be let go. Theo was her friend, plain and simple.
"You can't let what she says get to you," he said once they were inside his car.
She looked up at him with wide eyes.
"You heard?"
He shook his head, dark locks of hair falling onto his forehead as he focused on the road before him.
"No, but I know that she hates me," he shrugged "…she has a right to, I suppose."
Hermione frowned at this, eyeing him. She crossed her arms over her chest.
"What did you do?"
He chuckled, pearly whites on display as he glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. Hermione didn't laugh, and he sobered up with a sigh, rolling his eyes.
"I hooked up with one of her friends during our last year before graduation. Padme something," he said.
"Padma…," she corrected "…that's it?"
He made a sound like he was debating on whether or not to elaborate before saying;
"I was a bit of an asshole."
"Describe 'a bit'," she demanded.
"Look, Hermione, we've had this discussion before. I was the absolute worse when it came to girls-."
"You still are," she cut in.
He gave her a look before exhaling.
"I buttered her up with compliments and shit, we hooked up, I accidentally said her sister's name, and then I kicked her out," he confessed.
"Oh my God!"
"That was the watered down version. There may have been some not so nice other stuff involved," he said, cringing.
He at least had the decency to look ashamed, and Hermione scoffed, shaking her head. She didn't even want to know the details if that was the watered down version. Still, she couldn't help but feel like Ginny knew something that she didn't. What Theo did was enough to make any girl mad, but it wasn't anything worse than what the average male asshole would do. So why did it seem like Ginny had it out for Teddy?
His arm came back to rest on the back of her seat, and he grinned.
"You should ditch the weasel's little party tonight and hang out with me instead. Just you and me… I'll buy us a shit ton of junk food and we could just watch movies all night," he proposed.
The corners of Hermione's mouth pulled up into a small smile. She would love that, it was something they did often, and there was no doubt in her mind that she'd enjoy it more than Ron's little shindig, but…
"Honestly, I would, but there's actually something I have to do before I head over to the Weasley's."
There was a brief silence, one in which she hoped he wouldn't ask her to elaborate, but…
"That's all I get?"
She sunk in her seat and told him the same thing she told Ginny, hoping he'd buy it, but she should have known better than that. He scoffed, shaking his head as he turned the corner, the sun glinting off of the shiny watch on his wrist.
"We've always been honest with each other, Hermione. What's up?"
She groaned, and focused her eyes on the road.
"I'm meeting up with Draco Malfoy tonight," she bluntly stated.
She gasped in shock, pressing her hands onto the glove compartment to keep from hitting her head as he slammed on the breaks. She looked up at him, her terrified brown eyes clashing with his cold, icy blue ones.
"What the fuck?"
She swallowed, the anger in his eyes freezing her in place. He simply stared at her for a painfully long period of time before jerking back onto the road, eyes staring straight ahead.
"Teddy-."
"Don't. Just…don't..."
Hermione frowned, leaning back in her seat as he neared her neighborhood. She wasn't sure what he was thinking, and that unnerved her. No matter how angry or annoyed he would be with her, he at least always voiced it. At the moment, he wasn't saying a word.
The car ride was awkward, a tense silence in the air as she continued to eye him. She knew that he'd warned her about the blond young man, and she was sure that he had his reasons, but how was she possibly supposed to tell him the truth? She knew that if she spilled everything, he'd take care of it all in a heartbeat. While the idea had tempted her before, Hermione had decided against it, concluding that he'd already done so much for her.
A decent sized package was what greeted her as Teddy parked outside of her house, the box sitting on her doorstep. She frowned in confusion, positive that she wasn't expecting anything for the day. Beside her, Teddy scoffed.
"I'm sure that's some fancy dress he wants you to wear, looking like some high society girl that he would have everyone believe you to be," he sneered.
Hermione turned to face him, but his eyes were still focused ahead.
"What makes you think that?"
He glanced at the package with disdain, his upper lip curled over his teeth.
"Let's just say, I know his type…"
Hermione let out a small sigh, reaching down to grab her bag, Teddy's hand closing over hers just as she reached for the door. She turned to face him, his cold blue eyes resting on her house before they fell on her.
"If you feel uncomfortable in anyway…if anything, anything at all happens, and you want to get out of there…away from him, you call me. Understand?"
She nodded, taken aback by his somber tone.
"I don't care how silly you think it is…," he trailed off.
"I understand," she said.
She closed the door behind her, eyes resting on him as he leaned over to look at her through his window.
"Be careful, 'Mione."
Theo had been right. A beautiful red dress awaited her within the large box. The strapless ball gown hugged her like a glove, flaring out near the bottom in a heap of fabric, making her look like some kind of princess. She had never worn anything like it in her life, and had to admit that she loved it, despite the daring color, something she never would have chosen for herself. Draco thought that red suited her, and he made sure that he told her as much.
"You look lovely," he murmured, his lips brushing against the skin of her cheek as he told her so.
Hermione ducked her head, her wild curls hiding her face from view as she processed his words. His hand on her waist burned through her dress, bringing heat to her skin as he tightened his grip, pulling her closer.
"Thank you," she quietly responded.
A finger underneath her chin forced her to tilt her head upwards, brown eyes meeting his silver ones as he tilted his head, a playful smirk on his lips.
"You don't like compliments," he deduced.
"I'm…not used to them," she corrected.
It was the truth. Sure, Ginny would compliment her sometimes, it was what friends did. The same could be said for Harry and Theo, she supposed. However, it had been a long time since she'd been showered in compliments from a man who was interested in her as a woman.
Draco leaned in closer, lips hovering next to her ear.
"I guess I'll have to fix that…"
Hermione felt heat come to her cheeks as she glanced around, relieved to see that everyone's attention seemed to be elsewhere. It was a nice contrast from when they had first entered the building, dozens of eyes falling onto the pair, wondering who had accompanied Draco Malfoy. She turned back around to face him, almost taking a step back at the intensity in his eyes. His hand came upwards to brush his thumb against her bottom lip, wiping off some of her lips gloss.
"I really want to kiss you," he said.
She swallowed, flustered.
"We're in a room full of people. I'm not too sure how they'd feel about that…"
He simply chuckled, silently heeding to her discomfort as he pulled away, intertwining his fingers with her own as he pulled her through the large room. She looked around in wonder. If she had to guess, she'd say that there was at least one hundred people in the spacious room, all of them dressed to impress in fancy suits and ostentatious gowns. Hermione couldn't help but to feel out of place in such a setting, but as she ran her hand down the side of her dress, she remembered that for tonight, and for however long Draco would have her, she was one of these people.
"So, what is this? Some sort of Ball? A social gathering for the rich and snooty?"
Draco laughed again, really laughed this time, not offended in the slightest by her insult.
"Actually, it's a meeting, a business meeting. This fancy shindig is really just for show, it's to keep up appearances while the real action happens behind closed doors," he confessed.
"Oh. What do you do?"
He didn't answer her at first, wrapping his arm around her waist as he looked around. She wasn't sure if he was avoiding the question or if he simply felt that was too personal of a question to ask.
"As of now, I do nothing, but I'm preparing to take over after my father."
Hermione nodded, deciding against asking him what that was exactly. She wasn't really his girlfriend, and if he'd wanted her to know he would have elaborated. Besides, it was Draco Malfoy. One internet search would tell her all she needed to know.
Draco suddenly tensed beside her, it was brief, but it was enough for her to look up at him in wonder. His jaw was clenched, eyes hard as he gazed ahead of them, his entire mood doing a complete one-eighty. She felt goosebumps arise over her flesh, the look on his face all too familiar.
...
"It's a lot more fun than you think," Draco chuckled. He reached to boldly tuck a stray curl behind her ear, to which she pushed his arm away from her.
Unbothered by her rejection, his fingers reached into the pockets of his trousers, emerging with a wad of cash tied neatly together with a band. He whipped the band off and tossed the cash into the center of the table, the other males cheering. His eyes narrowed as he reached for the cards, his gaze so stern that she became slightly afraid of his suddenly dark countenance.
...
Hermione hesitantly followed his gaze, and her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
A tall dark haired man was making his way towards them, walking through the crowd of people with ease. If anything, they seemed to move out of his way. He was older, maybe by roughly ten years or so, but it did nothing to diminish his attractive features. His sharp nose and jawline was a contrast to his soft pink, almost baby-like, lips. At first glance, he seemed like any other attractive gentleman in Hermione's eyes, but then said eyes met his, and Hermione froze. His dark eyes were cold and sinister, something wild and dangerous swirling in their depths that unnerved her.
Hermione involuntarily took a step back, pressing herself into Draco as this man approached them. It wasn't until he was only a few feet away did Hermione's frown deepen. She recognized this man, and turned her face towards Draco to confirm.
"Is that…? Is that Tom Riddle?"
Draco gave a sharp nod, and Hermione looked down, not wanting to meet this man's eyes again.
Tom Riddle was a name that was quite popular in not only their area, but surrounding areas as well. He was the CEO of some technological company, his headquarters in the next city over. She'd heard many things about this man, none of them pleasant. He was known to be quite cold, the stereotypical businessman, and there'd even been a rumor that he'd snaked the company right out from underneath his business partner.
He was a terrifyingly ambitious man who had a habit of getting what he wanted…one way or another.
"Young Malfoy. I'd heard that you'd be representing your father tonight," he greeted, the two shaking hands.
His deep voice had an airy quality to it. Hermione was sure that many women might have found it attractive. However, to her, it just came off as snakelike, and an involuntary shiver traveled down her spine.
"We both figured that now was as good a time as any," Draco's words were clipped, hinting at his disinterest in discussion with the wealthy man.
The dark haired male nodded at that, his eyes betraying his feigned interest as they landed on her.
"I don't believe we've met…," he trailed off, hand clasping around her own as she accepted his offer.
Draco's grip tightened even further, his fingers almost digging into her side as Mr. Riddle regarded her.
"This is my date for the evening…Hermione."
His tone of voice left no room for further elaboration or questioning, indicating that he told the other male all he wanted him to know. Mr. Riddle made a humming sound as his thumb grazed over the top of her hand, eventually dropping it as if it burned him, and Hermione held it against her, suddenly very uncomfortable.
A cold smile fell over his face.
"Send my best wishes to your father. I was rather looking forward to seeing him tonight. I suppose that you'll have to do," he said, walking away with a small chuckle, patting Draco's shoulder along the way.
"I didn't realize that you knew him," she said after some time.
Although, she shouldn't have been surprised to know that their families ran in the same circles.
"My father hates him, and the feeling is more than mutual. He was simply being polite for appearances' sake," Draco scoffed, his thumb rubbing circles into her waist.
She turned her head to really look at him then, eyes resting on his tense frame, apparent that Mr. Riddle's presence really bothered him. She rested her hand on his arm, his head turning towards her as a result.
"When you told me that we'd be going out tonight…I'll admit, I didn't expect this" she waved her arm around "…but all the same, I am enjoying myself. It's different. Plus…it's kind of cool to see how the other side lives."
Draco's small smile slowly transformed into a smirk, his fingers tightening around hers again. He turned, taking a step closer, his chest brushing against hers as he leaned in.
"Want to get out of here?"
Hermione blinked, glancing around, throat suddenly growing thick at his close proximity.
"Where?"
"I can hear stuffy men talk business any day," he whispered "…besides, I want to see what you look like when you scream."
And scream Hermione did. Her fingers were clutching her seatbelt so hard she was sure she'd rip it off at any moment. She felt tears form in the corner of her eyes as she let out another shriek of terror, Draco's car almost spinning as he drifted around the curve, overtaking the car that was in front of him.
The empty parking deck was huge, towering several stories high as they exited, Draco speeding onto the empty street as he, quite literally, pressed the pedal to the metal. The open windows allowed the wind to whip her unruly hair around her face, and her heart hammered in her chest, wide eyes focused on the road ahead.
The buildings and city lights flew by at an alarming speed, and Hermione was legitimately too terrified to glance and see how fast he was going. She had to admit that this was not what she had in mind when he dragged her out of the flashy building, almost running to his car, not even bothering with the valet.
"Oh my God, oh my God," Hermione chanted as he weaved through traffic, the few people on the road honking at them.
"You look like you might hurl," Draco said, a husky laugh escaping his lips as he eyed her.
She simply glared at him, one of her hands now pressed against the dash, squealing when he just barely slid in between two cars.
"I did not sign up for this when I agreed to your offer," Hermione snapped.
"It'll be over before you know it. I always win…"
"Do you ever get hurt?" she demanded, immediately cringing.
She sounded like her mum.
She watched as a slow smirk made its way onto his lips, one of his hands coming down to rest on her thigh, an attempt to soothe her.
"Never," he whispered.
Hermione swallowed, heat settling in the pit of her stomach at the contact. The car was briefly illuminated, her eyes trailing over his collarbone from where he'd undone his first three buttons, suit jacket tossed in the back seat as soon as he'd slid into the car.
"Well…there's always a first time for everything," she whispered back.
His smirk simply grew, blonde hair brushing along his forehead as he took a sharp left, navigating through a tunnel, the bright lights of his opponent not far behind.
"Do you do this often?"
She wondered if she should have even been talking to him at all, afraid she might distract them, and then they'd both die.
"Once a week or so…," he offhandedly commented.
Hermione was positive that she was going to be sick, but Draco had been right. The race had finished rather quickly, her shaky frame leaning against the vehicle as Draco counted out his reward, as if he didn't already have enough. He simply smirked as he approached her trembling frame, eyes dancing with mirth.
"That wasn't so bad, was it?"
Hermione simply glared at him, but was reluctant to admit that she did enjoy the adrenaline rush once she was off the road and positive she wasn't going to die. She looked up at him from beneath her eyelashes as he leaned one hand on the roof of his car, his breath mingling with hers in the chilly air.
"Admit it…you had fun," he said, head tilted as he eyed her.
Hermione turned her face away, determined to be stubborn.
"That was incredibly dangerous," she chided.
"That's what makes it so exciting," he purred, lips brushing against her throat.
She rolled her eyes, silently thinking to herself that he really was the asshole she had first thought him to be. However, that didn't stop her from allowing his fingers to ghost along her jaw, slowly turning her head to face him, chest brushing against her own now. Her eyes met his, and he devoured her then.
His lips descended over hers with vigor, and their tongues battled as he sucked, stroked, and toyed with her own. His lips were relentless as he pressed her against his car, the warmth from the still running vehicle seeping into her half covered back. Her breath was ragged, thick with want as he pressed his pelvis against her own, and Hermione found herself pulling away. He let her.
As his forehead rested against her own, Hermione found herself thankful that Draco wasn't half bad. He wanted her, all of her, he'd made that much obvious from the very first moment that he met her. Yet, he still respected her silent, yet obvious, wishes to take this as slow as she wanted, on her terms.
As his hand came up to tangle in her curls, her eyes caught sight of the expensive Rolex on his wrist, and her eyes widened at the time.
"Oh my god! I was meant to be somewhere," she panicked.
Draco pulled away, eyebrows furrowed as he gazed at her.
"Where? I'll give you a lift…"
She paused, looking up at him with a slight frown.
"Their house is quite far, almost going towards the rural areas. I couldn't ask you to…," she trailed off.
"Hermione…you're with me now. I look after those who are with me, come on," he said, opening the passenger door.
She reluctantly slid in, just clicking her seatbelt as he drove off.
"Is this some kind of party, because I think you'll be overdressed for anything less," he said.
Hermione grimaced, looking down at her attire.
"It's a welcoming party for…a former friend of mine. He's returning from the States after nearly two years," she whispered.
Draco hummed, eyes focused on the dark road as she gave him directions.
"Why greet someone who's no longer your friend?" he asked after some time.
"He's still very close with one of our mutual best friends. That and he's also another best friend's brother," she mumbled.
"You sound bitter about that," he guessed.
Hermione sighed, silently agreeing that she supposed she was. After all, it would be that much harder to just leave Ron in the past. She really didn't want anything to do with him.
"Would I be correct in assuming that this former friend is also a former lover?"
Hermione sighed again, sinking in her seat. Teddy had constantly told her that she was an open book, wearing her heart on her sleeve.
"It ended rather ugly," she confirmed "…and it's not like I still have feelings for him or anything. I just don't want him in my life."
"Then don't go," he shrugged.
"…but I should. I love his family, haven't seen them in ages, and who would I be if I allowed him to ruin that for me?"
He hummed in agreement, slowing the car as he pulled up outside of a large and familiar house. Hermione eyed the structure, a million memories running through her mind as she focused on the shadows of people in the glowing windows.
"Want me to come in?"
"God no! What would that look like, me bringing some random man to Ron's welcoming party?"
She shook her head, cringing at how desperate and petty that would look.
Just as she reached for the door, Draco reached into the backseat, pulling out a long black coat and setting it onto her lap. She thanked him, grateful that she could hide her daring dress from prying eyes. She had just finished snapping the buttons together when his lips brushed hers, a sigh leaving her lips at the contact as his fingers brushed her hair over her shoulder.
"You want me to pick you up?"
She shook her head.
"I'll be fine," she said as she exited the car.
She turned to look at him through the open window, a smirk on his sinful lips as he winked at her. She waved him off with a small smile as his car sped down the street, memories of her wild night clouding her mind. She exhaled before turning around and freezing in place.
Hermione was surprised to find that…he looked the same. He was still tall, shoulders still broad and arms as toned as they were before. He was dressed somewhat casual in an emerald green sweater that contrasted nicely against his vibrant red hair. His bottom half was covered in black slacks and matching shoes, his hands shoved into his pockets as he regarded her. Hermione didn't realize that she'd started walking towards him until his blue eyes appeared that much bigger.
She hadn't seen or heard from Ronald in two years, and looking at him then, she found that she felt…
Nothing.
"'Mione," he breathed, lips stretching into a smile.
"Ron," she evenly replied.
He shuffled his feet, unsure of what to do with her indifferent tone.
"I thought that I heard a car outside. I'd hoped it was you…nice car," he casually added.
"I was with a friend. I'm sorry I'm so late. Time kind of got away from us before I realized…," she trailed off.
He opened his mouth before immediately snapping it shut, taking a step towards her, his warm blue eyes pleading.
"Can we talk for a moment…before we go inside? Can I just talk with you?"
Hermione had often imagined what she would feel or what she would do when she eventually saw Ron again. She had wondered if she'd scream and curse him to the lowest pits of hell, or simply slap him, something to just get her point and anger across. She had even wondered if she'd cry, embarrassing herself as all of the old emotions came pouring back in. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she'd look at him with something akin to a mixture of pity and indifference, yet here she was.
She looked at Ron and felt nothing. He was just a boy she loved, a boy who'd broken her heart, and now just a boy she used to know. She didn't want to talk to him. She found that she had nothing to say to him, all of her words long lost in empty vodka bottles and Teddy's ever eager ears. She didn't want to hear anything he had to say either, realizing that anything he'd say wouldn't help her, only hinder her at most.
She softly smiled at him, conscience clear as she brushed past him.
"We should go inside. I've kept them waiting long enough…"
If you're curious about the dress, just google 'Nina Dobrev red dress" and it's that one. Links never work on here. Let me know what you think!