Chapter THREE: After the four friends sat down to dinner, Ron and Harry talked intensely about their Quidditch match, so much so that they didn't even notice Hermione's uncharacteristic silence. While Ginny and Hermione cleared the table and cleaned the kitchen, Ginny tried to get Hermione to snap out of it.
"So do you have any plans tonight," Ginny began.
"No I'm just going to go home and get a good night's sleep, I'm so tired." Hermione began to gather her things.
"You never told me about your date with Blaise, how was it? Sparks?" Ginny questioned knowing full well that Hermione probably didn't like Blaise very much at all.
"It was alright, listen tell the boys that I'll see them tomorrow, alright?"
"Sure, see you at the Burrow tomorrow."
Hermione couldn't take it, it was like cabin fever. She didn't notice anything that went on during dinner at the Potters' and now she can't fall asleep. She just kept thinking about Draco. Obsessively so that she was seriously considering going to his flat.
At three in the morning she made up her mind. Putting on a simple t-shirt and jeans, she grabbed her wand and headed to the floo.
Hermione hoped to Hades that Fifi would come to the kitchen floo before Draco heard it. The last thing she needed was for him to ask her what she was doing there when he had company, by company she meant slut.
"Fifi," she called through the fireplace.
The elf's head appeared in the green flames and recognized Hermione immediately. "Missus Hermione, how are you?" Hermione was surprised to see the elf so awake in the middle of the night.
"I'm looking for Draco, is he in his room?"
The elf shook his head, "No, Miss. Master left at dinner time and has not returned. Not to worry Miss, he said that he was sure he would not be back until breakfast. Should Fifi tell hims that you called?"
"No, no that's fine Fifi, let's just keep this our secret for now."
"No Miss, Fifi cannot lie to Master in his own home. Dobby was presented with clothes for his lies."
Not bothering to correct his mistake Hermione said, "Please, Fifi do this as a favor to me, you won't have to really lie, just tell him no one called tonight."
"Alright Miss but Miss must promise Fifi won't be punished."
"Yes I promise Fifi." Yup Hermione has had enough of elves.
"Then Fifi will not tell Master. Goodnight Miss Hermione."
After the floo connection closed, Hermione plopped on to her sofa and stared at her ceiling. She lay there for an indefinite amount of time just thinking of where Draco could have been.
She knew of course, he was with some woman shagging her senseless. Git. She thought. She wanted to throw something or cry, anything but just stare at the ceiling. It was almost four o'clock in the morning. Perhaps sleep was the best course.
She dragged herself to her bed. Still in her clothes she made herself comfortable and proceeded to cry herself to sleep.
The next morning Hermione felt like she had been crying all night. For all she knew, she had. There was a pecking in her kitchen window, she let the barn owl in and took the parchment from its leg. When she unrolled it, the parchment transfigured into a dozen crimson roses.
Completely caught off guard, Hermione just looked at the roses and did not see the note wedged into the bottom of the bouquet. Then there was a knock on her front door. When she answered it, there stood a handsome man carrying another dozen roses.
"Good Morning love, care for some lunch?"