Chapter 8 Evening with Draco

Draco paced back and forth in his room. He could not get Hermione off his mind. They had had a nice conversation for once in their lives, which was incredibly unusual. While he noticed she did try to be nice to everyone, normally that never included him. She wasn't just being nice was she? No, that couldn't be it. He was grateful that he had decided to schedule another dance practice just so he could spend more time with her and figure her out and his feelings. After this though he wasn't sure if he would be able to come up with any more excuses to spend time with her. He looked at the clock. It was nearly 8 at night. He wondered if she had forgot… or maybe she was avoiding him. They never had set up a time. Maybe she didn't take him seriously.

Then he heard movement outside. The only person it could be was her. He quickly looked himself in he mirror – he looked great as always – and then sped down the stairs.

She wasn't looking and didn't notice him enter the room. She was busy looking at everything in the bags she had bought. He watched her fascinated as he noticed the different looks coming across her face. One bag in particular made her really smile. He wondered what was in them.

"Hey, Granger," he said.

Hermione immediately dropped every bag that had been in her arms and quickly spun around. He couldn't quite understand the emotion that was on her face now.

"Malfoy! Don't sneak up on people like that! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" she asked as she touched her hand to her chest to hopefully calm her speeding heart down.

"Oh... uh… sorry. I thought you heard me," he said.

He watched as she hurriedly grabbed her bags making sure everything was hidden. That only peaked his curiosity more.

"So, have fun in Hogsmeade today? Looks like you did a lot of shopping," he said.

"Yeah it was great. I need to take care of these and then I'll be back," she said as she hurried past him.

Hermione was only a few steps away when she stopped and turned away.

"Are we still practicing tonight?" asked Hermione.

"Yeah. You need it. Remember?" he asked with a smirk.

She rolled her eyes and then smiled and went to her room. Draco worked on clearing the room so they had space to dance.

A few minutes later she reappeared wearing a fitted t-shirt and fluffy pajama pants.

"What is that?" asked Draco as he gave her an incredulous look.

"What?" asked Hermione, "Is there something on my shirt?"

"No there's nothing on it, it's just that's the problem. Are you seriously planning on wearing that?" he asked giving her a really weird look.

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing? It's comfortable," she said.

"What happened to the skirt and shoes and your father taught you to dress nice or something like that?" he asked now raising an eyebrow at her.

"I still have the shoes," she said as she smiled and held them up," And I think it will be better to be comfortable first and then work on being more formal."

"Malfoys don't dance with women in pajamas," he said seriously.

"Well that's just too bad isn't it because this Malfoy will," said Hermione standing up after putting on her heels.

Draco looked her up and down seriously and then couldn't hold it in. He laughed at her. She looked absolutely ridiculous with the heels on.

Hermione was a bit offended at first until she realized this was a genuine Malfoy laugh and she liked the sound of it.

"You look absolutely ridiculous I hope you know, but I guess I can dance with you because like I said you really need the practice," he said as he walked up to her with his famous smirk and held out his arms.

She stepped into his arms and with a smile said, "Watch it. I know how to use these heels. I'm sure you remember."

The music started and they stared dancing again.

"Are you threatening me? Because as I recall there are times where you could just conveniently fall," said Draco as he took her into their first dip and looked her directly in the eye, "Like right now."

Hermione gripped him tight and said, "You wouldn't. I haven't done anything to deserve it!"

He slightly enjoyed it a little too much that she was holding onto him tighter. They kept on dancing.

"It was just a friendly reminder," said Draco smiling.

"So last night I answered your question, but I never got a chance to ask mine," said Hermione.

"Which is?" asked Draco.

"Who are you taking to the dance?" she asked.

Draco stiffened. This wasn't something he was sure about, but he couldn't let her know that. He should take Pansy to keep up appearances, but he really didn't want to do that. She was too irritating as of late. But he couldn't ask Hermione either. That would be too weird.

"You know, I'm not sure yet," he said, still spinning Hermione around.

"Oh? Too many girls to choose from, not enough time?" joked Hermione.

"Always," said Draco laughing.

"Ok, but seriously. There has to be one that ranks higher than the rest of them," said Hermione.

The minute she said that, he realized who he wanted to go with. You can't deny the first thing that pops into your mind.

"Yes," admitted Draco.

"Well…" prodded Hermione.

"You can ask all you want, but I won't tell you," said Draco spinning Hermione back into his arms as she had just been spun out.

"Unless…" thought Draco.

"Unless what?" asked Hermione.

"I'll tell you if you tell me who it was you were talking about yesterday," said Draco.

Now it was Hermione's term to stiffen.

"You know, on second thoughts, just forget I asked!" said Hermione.

"Is it Potter?" asked Draco.

"What? No! Definitely not! He's my best friend! Plus he's dating my other best friend! And even worse it would be like dating my brother," said Hermione with a look of disgust.

"Weasel? Are you still not over him?" asked Draco.

"No. If you must know I've been over him for a while, thank you," said Hermione, "And you can keep asking, but I won't tell you either. Unless maybe you went first. But maybe not even then."

"I could keep guessing until I saw that look in your eyes. Girls can't deny the look," said Draco.

"What look? Besides I don't think you would ever guess correctly," said Hermione chuckling to herself.

"The look that says 'I want to snog him silly,'" said Draco.

Hermione just shook her head at him but then laughed as she realized it was true. Girls did do that. Herself included.

"So is she taken? Because I distinctly remember you saying to go for it anyways," said Hermione.

"No she's not taken, or at least as far as I know. But you are absolutely right about that, I just don't know if it would be such a good idea asking," said Draco.

"Well I'll turn it into a good idea," said Hermione.

They stopped dancing and Draco gave her a questioning look.

"Yep. A challenge. If you don't ask her to the ball then you have to ask her to dance with you twice or you owe me a month's worth of servitude. And I say twice so then I can know who it is," said Hermione not realizing she was still in Draco's arms.

"Malfoys were never ones to turn down challenges," he said, "Ok I accept but only if you accept the same challenge."

"Deal," said Hermione.

"Shake on it," said Draco.

They were about to shake when they realized they were still holding each other. They quickly jumped apart but then stuck on their hands in acceptance of each other's challenge.

"Well, I think your dancing has improved enough for tonight," said Draco.

"Thanks. At least I think there was a compliment somewhere in there," said Hermione.

"Just keep telling yourself that," said Draco.

"Hey! I thought you were nice now!" said Hermione playfully hitting his shoulder.

"I am, but I can't help it if you walked right into that one," he said.

"So what now?" asked Hermione feeling brave.

Draco paused and thought for a second. He wondered what would happen if…

"Come with me. I'll so you," he said as he grabbed his cloak.

"Wait. You're still Draco Malfoy. Can I trust you?" she asked somewhat seriously.

"I don't know," he said with a smirk, "Guess you'll just have to come and find out."

"Right," said Hermione thinking twice about it but then decided to just go with it, "Do I have to change?"

Draco laughed.

"No. Not if you don't want. Just get something somewhat warm," he said.

"Ok. I'll be right back," said Hermione smiling.


Bahaha... cliff hanger! Don't worry I'll update tomorrow. :) I think this is my longest chapter yet. Hope you enjoyed and thanks for the reviews!