A/N: Yeah…I just got done watching the movie "Titanic"…I'm crying…I decided that movie sucks…in a brilliant sort of way. It only sucks cause it's depressing and sad.
Oh, and I know fanfiction . net frowns upon individual shout-outs so: To the reviewer who sent me the suggestion (or question rather) about Draco's salvation relating to Harry's…I like your idea very much. Very much. I might take it into consideration for later on, thanks a lot.
Anyhoo…
ON WITH THE STORY!
Chap. 8 Thursday Dessert
Hermione laid in bed that night after Draco's house, thinking of everything that happened.
I can't believe what he's gone through.
She then remembered how he said that his mother died while he still attended Hogwarts.
How could Lucius Malfoy have hushed it up that well? Neither me, Harry nor Ron heard about her death…were we just too involved in our own lives to notice any change?
She then thought about how hurt Draco was by Pansy's lack of understanding.
I don't know how his own girlfriend did not understand and symphonize with what he was going through…if I was his girlfriend I would have---
She immediately gasped out loud at her thoughts.
'What am I doing?' She asked herself aloud. 'I am NOT going to start picturing myself as Dra-Malfoy's girlfriend. No way but if I were, I would have NEVER told him to "get over it" like that bitch, Parkinson.'
Hermione rolled to her side and clutched her pillow. She brought to mind the facts Draco had told her about his mother's death. She then pictured being in his shoes and watching her own mother die…watching her die and not being able to do a thing.
She slowly began to cry. She visualized a young Draco, beaten and chained, crying and screaming out his mother's name as she was cursed and tortured in front of him…because she wanted to protect him.
She had been so naïve about the Malfoy family up until tonight; she had been especially naïve at Hogwarts. She thought she knew everything there was to know about Draco Malfoy's good-for-nothing personality…she actually had no idea.
Tonight Draco Malfoy opened up to her, Hermione Granger, Gryffindor mudblood, best friend of Harry Potter. He was truthful, became vulnerable, and even let her see him cry…even if he did try hiding it at first. What did this mean for them? Hermione desperately wanted to believe they were friends- personal and close. What did he think? She wished she could ask, but he'd think she was pathetic.
What if he just got sick of my statements about his family and finally decided to tell me so I wouldn't keep harassing him? And what if he cried just because that's what he does when he talks about his mother? Did it have nothing to do with trusting me? She asked herself.
Her conscience answered, No, he told you he liked your company. He doesn't trust easily and yet he still wants to meet up again. That must mean something.
She then pictured him standing in front of her crying. He opened up to her. His deep, blue-gray eyes red with tears…then after their "get-together", as she left he smiled at her. He was so handsome when he smiled.
She couldn't deny that he was very attractive, but was she more than physically attracted to him? Was she emotionally and mentally attracted to Draco also?
Hermione growled into her pillow in frustration.
It doesn't matter! She told herself. You are going back to where you live…and he is here in muggle London…
'Yeah, it doesn't matter.' She said aloud.
AND IT'S NOT AS IF HE EVEN LIKES YOU! Stop assuming…AS USUAL!
--
'Shit.' Draco muttered as he watched Hermione drive down his street. 'Draco, what are you getting yourself into?'
Hermione Granger hopefully.
'NO.' He scolded himself for thinking such lewd thoughts. 'Don't even go there…you can't. She's just Granger…just that dopey little brushy haired Gryffindor.'
Beautiful, smart, determined, attractive, funny, sensitive, understanding, caring Granger.
He shook his head angrily as he wandered into his living room and threw himself down onto his sofa.
'I can still smell her.'
He sniffed the air.
'Okay, maybe I'm imagining it.' He concluded.
Now…what is going to happen Thursday? Dessert. Granger. Dessert with Hermione Granger.
'Hermione Granger…' He purred. 'Gods fuck! After tomorrow we're probably never going to see each other again, why am I thinking this way about GRANGER of all people? I just fucking got dumped by my girlfriend of five years…and I'm talking to myself…oh good…I'm STILL talking to myself.'
Draco sat up quickly and looked around. He picked himself up off the couch and began to put away the dessert and wine. He grabbed the plates of cake, put the cake back into their original containers and put the dishes in his sink. He walked lazily back to the wine glasses and picked them up as well. He continued to think about Hermione as he strolled into the kitchen again.
She's just another woman…she's no different…there are PLENTY of women like her around…better even. Yeah. Nothing to worry about, Draco.
He placed the full glasses down on his countertop and thought some more.
She's almost like a best friend. She listened to me. She's the only person who has. Maybe she is different.
He sighed frustratingly and looked at the glasses of white zinfandel. He picked one up and downed it in one gulp…he did the same to the second.
'Damn women.'
--
Hermione and Draco both crawled into their own beds perplexed about the other. Neither of them got good sleep; neither of them fell asleep before four in the morning either.
Hermione opened her eyes after her four hours sleep, still befuddled. She made her way clumsily to her bathroom and washed up for the morning. She could smell homemade pancakes, so that perked her up a bit.
-
Draco woke up at eight thirty, still angry with himself for beginning to feel emotions other than civility for Hermione.
'You are just lonely, Draco. You only think you're attracted to her because she's the first girl you came into contact with after Pansy…'
He decided that that must be it and went to make a fresh cup of coffee.
-
'You look lethargic, Hermione.' Richard commented as Hermione took a seat at their kitchen table.
'Yes, you do. Are you well?' Anne asked worriedly.
'I'm fine, just didn't sleep well.'
'We did not hear you come in last night, you must have come in after we went to bed, eh?' Richard asked without looking up from his paper.
'Oh, I got home at about midnight…ish.'
'Really?' Anne inquired in a surprised tone. 'Were you with the Malfoy boy the entire time?'
'Yes, I was. We lost track of time during dinner and…dessert.'
Anne was about to open her mouth to speak again, but then an owl flew in through their kitchen window.
Saved by the bird…
Hermione jumped up from her chair and dashed over to the owl that was indeed Hedwig.
'Hey Hedwig! Oh I'm so happy to hear from Harry!'
She pat the owl's head gently and then took the letter from her.
'I'll be back down soon.' Hermione told her parents.
She motioned for Hedwig to sit up on her shoulder and she listened. Hermione jogged up the stairs with her letter in one hand and Hedwig on her shoulder.
She slid into her desk chair and tore open the letter.
Hey Hermione! Where have you been? I mean I know you are visiting your parents, but you haven't owled me once! I am going to speak my mind with very strong words to you once I see you again! Anyway, how's life in the muggle city? I am so glad to be out of there…gods…I hope it's treating you better than it treated me, I'm sure it is. Owl me as soon as you can! Oh, and Fred and George say hi (I'm at work). Well, I am supposed to be bringing money over to Gringotts soon, so I better take off. Love you 'Mione! Harry.
Hermione smiled, thinking about her best friend. She quickly pulled out some of her own parchment and a quill.
Sorry I haven't owled you Harry! I have been busy with my parents and old, primary school friends. Yes, Hermione felt bad about lying to Harry about Draco, but she promised. I can't wait to see you and Ron again once I come back home! We'll definitely have to hang-out extra long this weekend! Okay? I have been having a good time here, thanks. Been getting to know new people. Technically she wasn't lying, Draco was a "new person" sorta. Tell Fred and George Hi for me. I bet its lots of fun working there! I'll owl you as soon as I arrive back home. Love you too best friend. Hermione.
She attached her letter to Hedwig's leg and let her go. Hermione then ran back downstairs to eat breakfast.
Her parents were now dressed in work clothes.
'Where are you going?' Hermione asked them.
'To work.' They both replied.
'I left some pancakes for you on a plate in the kitchen.' Anne said with a smile. 'We'll be home around five or six.'
'All right, good luck at work.' Hermione said as she took a seat in the kitchen.
She put two pancakes on a separate plate and poured syrup over them. She then began to eat slowly as she read the newspaper her dad left.
--
'She's just a good friend.' Draco repeated to himself over and over as he watched Hermione get out of her car in his driveway.
He looked her up and down, something he had never taken the time to do before. Today she was wearing a knee-length jean skirt and a pink, sleeveless cap-sleeved tee-shirt. Her hair was in a high pony-tail, but curly. She looked very girly, but in a sexy sort of way.
'Draco likie.' Draco said aloud with a grin. Wait no! Well, maybe… just as a friend!
He rushed away from the window and into the living room. He sat down casually, waiting for her to knock on the door. After she did, he waited a few moments before answering, so he wouldn't look over-excited.
He stood up and moved to his door and opened it.
'Hey Hermione.'
He immediately regretted saying Hermione. He liked the way it sounded way too much.
Hermione smiled at him. She noticed he was wearing loose jeans and a dark green polo. She thought he looked quite nice in the color.
'Hello to you too.'
'Come on in…you have no idea how tempting this cake looks…it was very hard to control my desire to eat both pieces.'
'Well, thank you for resisting.' She laughed as she stepped inside and removed her white sandals.
Draco led her into his kitchen and seated her at his kitchen table.
'I'm assuming you still want the wine?'
'Uhh…sure.' She said hesitantly. 'That would be great thanks.'
He nodded, noticing her hesitation, but poured her a glass anyway.
'So, how did your parents deal with you coming home late last night?' Draco asked as he handed her a silver fork.
'Oh, they were sleeping. They wouldn't care really though, I am 24.' She responded with a grin.
'I was just making sure you didn't get in trouble.'
'Oh thank you for caring.' She said sarcastically. 'I didn't get much sleep though, and they noticed so they asked me about it this morning.'
'You didn't get sleep?' Draco asked. He then thought about how he didn't get much sleep either, because he was thinking about her. Was she thinking about him too? I better not assume that is why. Maybe she's used to getting to bed a lot sooner. 'You weren't home that late were you? You left my house at midnight.'
'Oh, I know…I didn't fall asleep right away.'
'What time did you get to bed?' He asked curiously.
'Err, umm…I don't really remember…I only got a few hours of sleep though.'
'Same here.' Draco shrugged as he took a bite of the delicious chocolate cake.
'You didn't sleep well?'
'No, I fell asleep around four…woke up at eight thirty.'
Why didn't he fall asleep for so long? Was it the same reason I had trouble?
'Oh, what were you doing? You a late-night television watcher or something?'
'No, I was just thinking.' He stated tentatively.
He looked up into her eyes after he replied to her. She was staring back at him. They both understood now.
'You're confused too?' He asked.
She nodded fearfully.
'I don't know what to say, Draco.'
'I was not lying last night when I said I enjoy your company, Hermione, I really do. You're the only person I have talked with, on a personal level, in years…other than Pansy, but that was different. I still can't believe we did talk about everything we did last night.'
'I can't believe you told me all that either. I never, ever would have thought Draco Malfoy would open up to me.'
'I hope I didn't bother you too much.'
'I didn't mind at all.'
'Hermione…would it be weird to call each other close friends?'
'I was wondering that last night.' She replied with a shy smile. 'I mean, we definitely clicked these past few days, but it was so random and sudden. Can two people become "close" friends in such a short time? Can we go from enemies to that?'
'I don't really know the rules, Granger. I haven't had too many close friends.'
Hermione then thought about her and Harry and Ron.
'Well, my two best friends thought I was an annoying know-it-all for the longest time… then one night it all changed. It only took one night to realize we all needed each other.'
'Could that happen again? I mean, I don't want to be related to Potter and Weasel but…'
'This is so strange. I don't think we're supposed to want to be friends.' Hermione laughed.
'Shit happens. I think we should just decide we're close friends, because you go home tomorrow anyway so even if our friendship is a mistake it doesn't really matter, does it?'
'I suppose not. I wish you hadn't been such an ass at school,' she joked, 'we could have had more time to get to know one another.'
'I was a bit immature wasn't I?'
'A BIT? You were a nightmare!'
'Hey, you weren't all butterflies and rainbows either! You were a little brown-nosing, bushy-haired, know-it-all, pushy Gryffindor princess who had to know AND answer everything.'
'Well, at least I had fun.'
'Whoa, whoa, I had plenty of fun.'
'All you did was slack-off, spit out mean comments and snog girls.'
'Is there any other kind of fun?' He asked with a playful grin.
'Yes!' She laughed.
'Oh, yes, I forgot about Quidditch…you're right as always.'
Hermione rolled her eyes at him as she finished off her wine.
'More?' He asked, nodding toward her empty glass.
'Oh, sure thanks.' She said with a smile, handing him her glass.
He poured another hefty glass and handed it back to her, then refilled his own.
'So, Miss Granger, whereabouts to you reside in wizarding London?'
'I live near Diagon Alley, in a small apartment complex. It's perfect size for me though. I love living on my own, no parents, no professors…just me.'
'I'm surprised you, Weasel-bee and Potter aren't all shacked up in one house.'
'We thought about it, but we all went separate ways, career-wise.'
'Do you still have that furry pig?'
'Crookshanks the cat? No unfortunately, I gave him to Ginny a year after Hogwarts because I was so busy with work.'
'Ahhh mini-redhead…I forgot about her. What is she doing now?'
'She got married actually. A year after she graduated to a guy she met a Gringotts. He is a healer.'
'Really? Weasels finally married into some money eh?'
'I guess you can put it that way…she's really happy though.'
Draco simply nodded. At least someone is happy with the way their live planned out.
'Draco…do you have any idea when your charm will wear off?' She asked cautiously.
'I have no idea…it isn't anything I can feel so I don't even know if I will know when it stops. I guess if I randomly try killing myself I'll find out.'
'Stop it. I hate when people talk about killing themselves, it's so depressing.'
'Sorry.' He replied as he took the last bite of his cake.
Hermione stared at him sadly.
'What?' He asked.
She looked down at her cake.
'What?' He asked again impatiently.
'We're friends now…and we won't see each other too often at all after I leave here today…I was just thinking about how I probably won't even know when Voldemort comes after you. I probably will never really know unless he comes back into power…with your body.' She raised her eyes again to look into his stormy ones. 'I wish I could do something.'
'Thanks…but you can't. No one can do anything.'
'Draco…if you get into trouble…you can always come to me. I mean…I know you don't really know what will happen when your charm wears off, whether you'll be summoned some how or if he'll come to you, but if you decide you need someone you can come to me.'
'What do you mean? How?'
'Well, I know you don't like the idea of going back to wizarding London, but after your charm wears off, what's the risk anyway? I could apparate myself, and you, to my flat today so you know how to get there. You don't have to come ever, but just in case…you know?'
Draco stared at her for a minute. She looked sincere and wanted him to agree…so he did.
'Thanks. I think that's a good idea…you know, just in case.'
She smiled and nodded affirmably. She took her last bite of cake and finished off her wine.
'Want to go now?'
'Sure.' He shrugged.
He took her glass and plate, along with his, and put them in his sink.
'Take my hand.'
He stared at her awaiting palm. He took it slowly in his. They locked eyes and she smiled at him.
'Ready?'
He nodded.
She closed her eyes and thought of her apartment complex. In a matter of seconds they appeared on the manicured front lawn.
'Not bad.' Draco announced.
'Why thank you. C'mon, you probably don't want to stand out here in the middle of the neighborhood for too long.'
They broke their hand-holding embrace and she led him inside.
'Hey this place isn't so bad,' Draco shrugged as he followed Hermione into her apartment room. "for a muggle-born Gryffindor.' He added.
She turned and rolled her eyes at him before shutting the door.
'It's nothing compared to your grand Willow Creek estate, but it's big enough for me.' She replied with a proud smile.
'It's nice, I am surprised it's not decorated in maroon and gold, though.' He questioned as he looked at the blue and white paint on her walls.
'I like these brighter, more modern colors for my living room.' She responded. She then headed toward her bathroom. 'I'll be right back, take a look around if you want.'
'All right.' He nodded. 'Thanks, I think I will.'
She smiled and strolled into her bathroom.
Draco circled her living room, looking at her classy art hanging on the walls. He then opened the first door he found. Her bedroom.
He hesitantly looked at her bathroom door and saw she was still inside, so he walked into her bedroom.
He laughed when he saw her enormous closet.
'Granger sure has changed…' He noted to himself.
He noticed her walls were green with some pink.
Green eh?
He also noticed her bed clothing was dismantled on her mattress. He immediately began to feel a mix of emotions: awkwardness, curiousness, arousal, and fear.
Has Granger had men in her bed? Has she changed from book-worm to vixen? I wonder how many men she has had in here…
He knew he felt desire to ravish her in her own bed, but he also feared that emotion of want for her. He did not think he should be thinking that way about muggle-born Granger.
Shivers moved down his spine, telling him he better leave. He became uncomfortable with the dangerous feeling of being in Hermione's bedroom.
He turned and left, shutting the door behind him. She was in the kitchen. His stomach sank.
Shit. She knows I was in her room…here comes the scolding.
'Surprised that my room wasn't maroon or gold either? Did you really go around checking?' She asked with a hearty laugh.
He was pleasantly shocked. She did not even mind he went in her private room. She joked about it.
'Uhh, yeah I was more surprised that you had some green on your walls actually.'
'Just because you Slytherin lot were a bunch of bad kids, doesn't mean you ruined the color green for me.'
'At least we weren't prissy fairies.'
'HA! Gryffindors were the bravest house in Hogwarts!...Why are we arguing about our old houses?'
He laughed and said, 'I don't know, you bring the disputer out in me I suppose.'
'And you me.' She replied, 'Did you want anything while I am in the kitchen? Tea? Wine? Water? Coffee?'
'No, thanks. Don't trouble yourself.'
'No trouble, I still use magic.'
'That's right. Then I want raspberry vodka.'
'That a favorite of yours?'
'Yes it is.'
'Coming right up.'
Draco watched her pull out her wand, accio two glasses and bewitch them to fill with raspberry vodka.
'You drink it as well?' He asked curiously.
'Once in awhile.' She said with a smirk. She sent his glass floating to him through the air. 'Harry turned me on to it, actually.'
'Potter drinks vodka?'
'Occasionally, on Fridays mostly, that's when he, Ron and I go out.'
'The perfect golden trio goes out drinking? Hermione Granger goes out to party?'
'We don't get smashed or anything. I do control myself.'
'Still…pretty impressive.'
'Draco Malfoy is impressed with me?' She asked incredulously.
'You've been impressing me since I ran into you last week.' He replied openly and truthfully.
She stared at him questionably for a minute as she slowly sipped her drink. He didn't even realize what he said was pretty deep…he was just enjoying his vodka.
'How so?' She asked a bit later than a normal response.
'What?'
'How have I impressed you?'
'Oh…well you aren't annoying anymore.'
'Oh thanks.' She exclaimed sarcastically.
'Well, you were a bloody menace. And you are a good listener, something I never took time to notice at Hogwarts, obviously. And you whip up a pretty smashing raspberry vodka, if I do say so myself.'
'Why thank you.'
After another pause Hermione added, 'You've impressed me too.'
'I impress everyone.'
This made Hermione laugh, which caused Draco to also laugh. She was straight-up contagious.
Draco then handed her his glass.
'Want anymore?'
'No, thanks. We better be getting back, your parents might want to, oh I don't know, spend time with their daughter before she leaves them…since that's what you came here to do.'
'Oh, well something better came up.' She joked as she turned away to bring the glasses back to her sink.
This time, Hermione did not realize what she said may have been deeper than surface appearance. Draco was beyond confused. He had a crush.
Bloody hell, Draco…crushes are for first and second years…you are fucking twenty-four years old…get a hold of yourself. He scolded internally.
She then walked to the door and he followed her out.
Once they were back in the front of the complex Hermione said, 'Now, get a good look, Draco, just in case you do want to come back anytime. Don't worry about what I'll think of you or anything, if you need help I'll try my best to be of assistance.' She said with a perfect, toothy grin.
'Thanks again.' He said dazedly as he looked into her eyes.
She didn't catch his dreamy look so she grabbed his hand and apparated back to his home.
They now stood in his foyer.
She turned to him, after she let go of his hand.
'It was surprisingly nice to meet up with you again.' She said softly.
'Same to you.'
'I probably won't see you again for quite sometime, but remember as strange as it may sound, I'm here for you okay?'
He looked at her pretty face and smiled, knowing she really would be there if he needed her.
Then he did something she was not expecting.
'It was a pleasure, Hermione.'
He stuck out his hand, waiting for her to shake it. As she slipped her hand in his, he turned her hand palm down, bent his shoulders down a bit, then lifted it to his lips and kissed the top of her hand.
Draco noticed her blush, even though she tried to hide it by trying to keep a straight face.
'B-bye, Draco.' She said, stuttering a bit.
He opened the door and winked in a friendly manner at her as she strolled down to her car.
Draco watched her get inside her car, sit for a few moments and then finally drive off.
Hermione felt strange. She couldn't decipher what the feeling was.
She looked at the top of her right hand and grinned. She did not mean to grin, but it formed unwanted.
'Damn Draco Malfoy for making me feel like a school girl with a crush.'
I have a crush on Draco. She determined.
She thanked God that she was going back home the next day. She didn't think she could handle anymore new and improved Malfoy for awhile. She also couldn't wait to go home and tell Giselle.
