Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, for the simple matter that Hermione would have gotten with Draco.
A/N: Ok, so I see that Draco doesn't get to do a happy dance this time, but maybe he will this time! I would love to hear the thoughts you have, whether good or bad—just no flames.
Alls Fair in Books and Quidditch: Part 1
They waited quietly in the storage room until they both felt that it was safe to emerge from their hiding. Draco went first leading Hermione through the unlit hallway. They heard a flash and Draco backed Hermione up until they both were flushed against the wall. Hermione felt Draco's muscular arm pressed up against her chest. She took in a sharp breath of air silently as they watched an older wizard, wearing purple robes, stepped out from the restroom. The two let out a sigh of relief then chuckled at the absurdity of it all.
They walked into the actual restaurant area; Hermione slipped into a booth as they walked in the restaurant while, Draco ordered them two butterbeers and something to eat since neither of them had breakfast that morning. Hermione sat a far back booth biting her lip as he returned.
"So." Hermione said, trying to break the ice.
"So." Draco mirrored her, tapping his thumb on the table.
"So, tell me what it's like to be a muggle-born." Draco asked seriously.
"Surely this isn't a subject of real interest to you?"
"Granger. Keep your mop hair out of the sky will you? Can you still not see that I've pushed away that side of me?" He said softly. Hermione looked into his eyes and saw the underline desperation, even though it was thoroughly kept out of his voice. "We can't go back and change the past, but we can always go forward and change the future." His voice sounded as if he was quoting the sentence from someone, "Someone important once told me that and I thought I started that by joining the order."
Hermione lowered her head, before gazing back at him. "I know, I know," she paused. "It was very brave of you to join, you know that, right?"
"Granger, you don't have to make me out to be a hero. You already have the boy wonder for that." Hermione grew silent at his words; this was not a conversation she wanted to have this early on, on a Saturday.
"So tell me."
"Well, if you insistent."
"I do." Draco said calmly.
"I don't exactly know where to start." Hermione smiled, she wasn't used to being the one people were interested in, or so she thought, that job was more so Harry or Ron's or even Draco's field.
Draco smiled at her bashfulness, "Tell me about-do you have any muggle friends?"
"Not really. I never fit in with any of my peers at my other school, to tell you the truth Harry and Ron were my first real friends that I ever had."
"That surprises me, wouldn't some people want to pass their classes?" Draco smirked. Hermione rolled her eyes at him, before taking a drink.
"You would be surprised how judgmental kids can be. Well, maybe you wouldn't be," She gave him a smirk like he give her; Draco just raised his brows at her.
"I guess I wouldn't." Draco took a drink, "Don't worry Granger, I'm not offended if I know it's the truth." He smiled, waiting for her to continue.
"I had a few friends, just none that I would call close and after attending Hogwarts, being friends with them just seemed…different."
"Different how?" Draco propped his elbows on the table, leaning into his hands.
"Like I could never fully be myself around them. I would feel guilty always hiding the one part that…well completed me."
"So every year you just went back to your parents?" Draco asked, leaving out the second part of the question he was to scared to ask; 'did you do what I did every year?'
"Basically. I went to the Burrow before school started, I love my parents but I always looked forward to going there. I guess since I never felt like I belonged in the muggle world, I finally felt like I-"
"Belonged." Draco finished for her. There was a note of sadness in his eyes that Hermione saw, but she hesitated on asking him why it was there.
"Did you go back to your parents as well?" Draco looked away from Hermione's innocent stare.
'She doesn't know you, don't be angry at her.' "Yes," his answer was short and clipped and Hermione knew not to push the subject.
Hermione and Draco sat eating their food contently. When both their plates where clean Draco took a deep breath and thought best to continue the conversation, one that he was very curious about indeed.
"How did you manage not to go crazy holed up there? I mean how could you really survive the muggle world?" Again, Hermione was shocked by Draco's sincerity, although she should have been used to surprises caused by him.
"My parent's love for one, even though they could be a little overbearing at times. Especially after the war, I think they knew it was the last time I would be coming back to their world." Hermione lowered her head; she didn't know what had caused her to tell him personal details of her life. Yet, somehow she found him rather easy to talk to. "Also, muggles have wonderful technology and I am determined to find a way to use it in the magical world, makes no sense to waste such importantly fun things."
Draco raised his brow, " 'Importantly fun things?'" He quoted her, making quotation marks in the air.
Hermione chuckled, "Even I too can have fun Malfoy, whether you believe it or not is not my problem."
"Fair enough," He held up his hands in defeat, "Although you have to admit it was a rather funny statement."
Hermione gasped at him in playfulness, but before she could retaliate a booming female voice caught their action.
"Anything else I can get for you dearies?" Madame Rosemerta asked with an amused look on her face, Draco and Hermione both slightly scowled at the barmaid and owner. Both thinking the same thought, 'This had better not making it back as latest news for their headmistress, otherwise that wig may just have to find its way to a new owner.'
"Yes could you bring out some of your finest pumpkin pastries?"
"Of course dear, jus' will be a few moments." Draco nodded to her response and she left them in peace.
Hermione smiled, "How did you know my favorite mister Malfoy?"
"Who said it was for you?" Draco raised a brow.
Hermione narrowed her brows, "Hey now! You better share, that's what nice people do."
"Oh so now you want to think I'm nice. All to get a few bites of your favorite treat. Tsk, tsk, Granger. Not so very Gryffindor of you, huh?" Hermione rolled her eyes at him.
"I still better get some." Hermione stuck out her bottom lip out in a pout.
"I never expected you one for pouting," he rolled his eyes, "Of course I'll share with you."
Hermione smiled triumphantly. They talked, in the mean time while waiting for the desserts, about growing up in the muggle world and the magical world alike. But the one thing that made Hermione' eyes widen in delight was Draco' confession to liking certain muggle items.
"You like Anne Rice?" Hermione exclaimed, as she practically slammed both hands on the table.
"She's a fascinating writer, although I haven't read or rather been interested in reading her newer material. I loved the vampire series, although even that after a time-"
"Went downhill." Hermione interjected.
"Basically after 'The Vampire Armand'!" They said at the same time. Both stared at each other before bursting out in laughter.
After wiping tears away from her hers, Hermione finally got the breath to speak again. "I can't believe you read those."
"I could say the same thing for you."
"How so?"
"You just always seem so innocent. One who shouldn't want to read the dark, lustful secrets of the undead."
"I guess I'm not so innocent after all," Hermione said through her lashes.
"I guess not." Draco's voice was low as he studied Hermione. He found her completely radiant and enthralling.
Before the silence turned awkward Madame Rosemerta arrived with the pumpkin pastries. They ate quietly, glancing at one another when the other wasn't looking. Draco paid the bill with some difficulty from Hermione. They left The Three Broomsticks and made their way through the small village. As they were wondering Hermione spotted a small bookstore that she had discovered a while back.
"Could we by chance step in there?" Hermione made a puppy face at Draco, he laughed in spite of everything.
"Books, books!" He let out an exasperated sigh, "Granger I thought the whole point of this was to get you away from books."
Hermione simple glared at him and opened the door; she stared at the cabin like store in awe. The store had a worn house feeling to it; cozy, almost a log cabin air about it.
"Granger," Hermione turned her head to face his, "I look a little funny just hanging out of the door."
"Sorry." Hermione quickly moved out of the way and threw herself at the first bookshelf she saw. Draco watched on in amusement as he followed her.
Draco let out a small chuckle escape from his chapped lips' as a title would catch her child-like gaze. "So what exactly are you looking for?" He watched her curiously as she thumbed through the books carefully.
"I'm not sure." He paused, while she continued searching.
"I believe you have just wandlessly stunned me," Hermione glanced up at him confused. "You don't know something?"
Hermione rolled her eyes, "There's such a thing as finding a surprise book for leisure reading Malfoy. I'm sure you of all people should know that." A sly smile crossed her features; Draco gave her the "squinty" eyes at her action.
"How do you figure that?"
"You weren't the only one staying up late at Grimmauld Place. What was it again? Ah yes, I believe the last one I saw you reading was Robin Hood,"
Draco scoffed and crossed his arms while mumbling grumpily to himself.
"What was that, I didn't quite catch that."
He glared at her, "No one was suppose to see that."
"Why not? You like studying, maybe not much as me, but you have no problem showing that off, so what's wrong with just reading?"
"Drop it Granger," he said, giving her a cold glare.
"But I just don't under-"
"I said. Drop it." He looked forward, trying hard to avoid Hermione's confusion through her analyzing stare. Hermione lowered her head and went back to look at the books, all the while wondering what exactly sparked his change in attitude.
"I'll just be a few seconds," Draco rolled his eyes, "Okay minutes, but only a few. Promise. "
"Fine. But then we get to go somewhere for me." Draco said with a smug smile.
Hermione let out a frustrated sigh; she could only guess where he would want to go. At least Harry and Ron didn't force her in that dreadful shop. "Fine, but we better be there for the matter of minutes I take in here."
"Oh, that's what I'm counting on." Draco turned looking bored; Hermione shook her head slightly and went back to her search.
Draco glanced at the surrounding bookshelves, eyes widening he hurried to find Hermione gaining curious glances from the few other customer in the shop. He found her crouched on the floor, pointing her index finger towards each book. He crouched down beside her and lowered his head towards hers.
"This is a muggle book store."
Hermione jumped, almost hitting Draco's chin had it not been for his seeker reflex skills. "Gods, you sure know how to scare people. Merlin, you shouldn't do that." She glared at him and he ignored her.
"Just answer the question Granger." Hermione noticed the close proximity Draco's face was. She moved her right hand back only to find that she was already almost up against the bookshelf.
'Hermione, pull yourself together! This is Malfoy for goodness sake," Hermione thought; she mentally calmed herself down. "It has both. If you cared to notice, I happen to be in the wizarding section." Her voice changed in tone, "I never knew there was so many magical authors until I happened to stumble in this shop during our fifth year."
"They're some clever ones, you just have to search for them." Draco reached out his right hand; Hermione's heart skipped a beat as it came closer towards her. She felt his fingers pass through some of her fly away strands and she clamped her eyes shut.
"Here you are, this is one of my favorites." Startled, Hermione opened her eyes only to find Draco holding a back out in front of her,
"The Mystery of Edwin Druid." Hermione read the metallic gold writing slowly. Hermione quirked her head to the side and looked at Draco questioningly.
"Don't laugh until you give it a try." He laughed a little, smiling. Hermione tried to fight her own smile, however, she lost the battle.
"I didn't know Malfoy's smiled." Her tone was playful, for she had seen at rare times during their days at Grimmauld Place where his guard would come down, revealing hidden emotions kept from the world.
"Only when we've gain something that we wanted." He smirked, confusion racing through Hermione's mind but before she could question him he disappeared to somewhere else in the store.
'What could he have gained just then?' She shrugged, continuing her search, still holding onto the book he gave her.
Draco wandered over to the muggle section, he was curious to see what other fantasy novels were out there, other then his favorite; 'Robin Hood.' He had heard Hermione and Potter mention about a "Lord of the Ring" and he wanted to see what it was about.
He found the book in no time but noticed there was a trilogy of them. He shrugged; if he wanted to read the other ones he could, and would, just bug Hermione for them.
Draco slid the book, 'Fellowship of the Ring,' from its place and took his time looking about the fantasy section. He spotted a title that pecked his interest, as he reached for the book delicate fingers tapped him on his shoulder…he jumped.
"Who's jumpy now?" The amused voice echoed silkily to his ears. He narrowed his eyes and looked down to see Hermione with a smirk befitting a Slytherin. 'I swear this girl will be the death of me,' he thought bitterly.
"Hardly, your fingers were on me for to long…"
"And you could have been infected," Hermione finished for him, "You know I don't believe you for a second, right?"
"You wouldn't be head girl if you did." Draco's lip itched upward.
"Don't worry, I won't let anyone know about how I endangered your manhood," Hermione said as she pinched his cheek. Draco pulled away, scoffing, a red tinge coating his ivory skin with embarrassment. "So what book caught your eye?'
Draco's eyes darted automatically to the title then whipped back to Hermione's amused face. "Nothing. Let's pay."
With that, Draco strode out of the aisle; his manhood back intact, making his way to the counter. He looked back at Hermione expectantly and she held up a finger signaling for another minute.
He nodded his head and turned back around, Hermione quickly grabbed the book that held his attention and went to the other cashier, making sure that the blond, tempered, man did not notice that she was paying that particular book as well as the others one she picked.
Draco stood by the end of the counter waiting patiently for her purchases to be made. Hermione made her way towards him, toeing the large sack that looked massive compared to Draco's own. Draco shook his head, smiling in amusement.
"What?" Hermione asked in confusion. Draco started to chuckle as he opened the door for her to exit. "What?" Hermione asked now irritated by his behavior, he nudged her lightly out the door, him following after.
He looked down at his silver wristwatch and smiled triumphantly. "You now have to spend an hour and fifteen minutes in the Quidditch shop," he said smugly.
Hermione's face dropped and flushed in anger. 'I should have left that book there, stupid prick.'
"Come on, prissy pants, I'll show you the fun of it." He grabbed her by the elbow, taking her bag in his other hand.
"Trust me, Harry and Ron have tried to show me. If they couldn't succeed, I highly doubt you will."
"Oh, will just have to see about that." He smirked, pulling her along the pathway to shop, leaving her staring at the back of his head in utter audacity.