Written for the Ultimate OTP Competition round 3 for action, the Favorite Character Boot Camp prompt #46 (awesome) and the Your Favorite Hogwarts House Boot Camp prompt #48 (tempting).
Cheers
"A date?" he asked, eyes widening. "You want to put everything off to go on a date?!"
"Hey, you did the exact same thing a couple weeks ago," Hermione replied dreamily, staring off into space. "I haven't seen Viktor since fourth year. It will be great to catch up with him- and it's not a date!"
"Granger, you're going out at night with a guy, dressing up to go to a fancy restaurant and then return home afterwards because he has a copy of some grand book to give to you? It's a date, trust me."
"Viktor is married," she snapped, arching an eyebrow at him. "Honestly Malfoy, he's just in town for the Quidditch game. He offered to hang out with me while he's here, and I took him up on the offer. It's nothing serious."
"Maybe it's nothing serious according to you, but I can guarantee he's hoping to get something out of tonight. Come on Granger, you're supposed to be the smarter half of our crime-fighting duo. You can't tell me you're being this oblivious on purpose."
"I'm not doing anything on purpose, and for the record we're investigators, not crime fighters. We ask the questions."
"And you should be asking yourself what about this seems so sketchy."
She sighed, twirling her quill between her fingers. They should really be discussing other matters aside from this, like their jobs, but the moment she brought but the name Viktor Krum it became an all-out war. Honestly, he was reacting just like her friends did. She and Viktor decided to be just friends after the Yule ball years ago. Nothing had changed as far as she was concerned. They were still just friends.
"Nothing is sketchy!" she declared, stamping her foot. He glanced towards her desk, surprised by her reaction. "I don't know why everyone has to declare that this is such a bad idea, but I can handle myself you know! I've proven that time and again while we're out working. Now please drop the subject. You're as bad as Harry and Ron."
He grimaced. "Don't compare me to those two Granger. I'm far superior."
She didn't say anything to that, simply scoffed and turned away. He knew it was going to be a quiet rest of the day now that he'd brought that topic up. Granger was oh so sensitive when it came to Krum.
"It really is lovely," she agreed, looking around the restaurant. He had picked a simply perfect place to eat- and a way too pricy place mind you.
"I thought we should try something nice tonight," he said, flashing her a toothy grin. Over the years Krum really had worked on his English and he was much easier to understand now. "Don't you agree?"
"Don't I agree with what?" she asked, getting lost in the menu. This was just as bad as the place that Malfoy took her to not long ago- everything was overpriced!
"That we should try something new tonight."
"What? Oh yes, we should. I've certainly never been here before. When I go out with Harry and Ron its usually to someplace in Hogsmeade, and it's nothing extravagant."
"And you are⦠seeing Ron still?"
"Oh no! We broke up ages ago. He hasn't really settled down with anyone yet, not like Ginny and Harry did. They got married quite a while ago. No children yet, but they are very happy together."
"I see. And, what about you? You have found someone?"
"Viktor, I spend most of my time running around with Malfoy working on investigating criminals. It's not a job that attracts a lot of men, much less gives me a lot of time for a social life. I haven't been on a real date in ages."
"So I see," he mused, sipping the provided wine as they spoke. He constantly kept trying to refill Hermione's glass, but she would shoo his hands away. She didn't really see a reason why she needed to go and get drunk.
Their food came and everything passed as normal. They spoke about their jobs, their lives, and even Krum's wife, who he was apparently not all that fond of. She found that curious, but kept her lips closed about the matter. They weren't exactly close friends. She didn't need to go prying into every detail of his life.
When they finished he escorted her to the floo, a true gentleman. She kissed him on the cheek, a friendly gesture that she expected him to accept. He just wasn't supposed to accept it so well.
He turned the innocent action into something terrible, swiveling his head to capture her lips. One hand moved and rested on the back of her head, keeping her in place. She struggled against his rough grip a moment, attempting to play the part of a good girl and not hex him into the next century. She wasn't sure she could keep that promise now.
It was tempting to do something evil to him for trying to cheat on his wife, but she dashed the thought away. It wouldn't do her any good to act like that.
She kneed him hard before bothering to pull out her wand, watching him stumble back. He glared at her as she backed him into the wall.
"You're a good buy Krum, don't act like this. You have a wife back home who will miss you if she ever finds out what you're trying to pull. I don't think she would be all that forgiving if you cheated on her."
"She cheats on me all the time," he snapped, eyeing the brunette in front of him. "Look, I didn't do anything out of line. I'm just playing her game, and you happen to be uninvolved in a relationship, which is perfect." He tried to reach out again, but she flicked him off easily enough, earning a second scowl.
"I'm not playing your game Viktor!" she replied angrily, feeling a bit hurt. Apparently he knew how to play some nasty games when he wanted to, and it was just so awesome that he decided to use her.
It killed her inside a little bit that Malfoy had been right.
"Hermione, come on now-"
"Oh save it," she huffed, rolling her eyes. "I'm done listening to what you have to say."
With that she turned on her heel and left, her determination never stopping as she flooed to the Ministry. It was late but she didn't really want to be all alone now that she had this to think about. He was making her feel like a bitch for being the girl he decided to cheat on his wife on. And she knew there was something seriously messed up about that thought process.
Stepping into her joint office she almost screamed. It was late, and though the security was still around the building for late night workers and protection values, she didn't expect to find her partner lounging in his chair, sipping on vodka of all things. For several moments, she just stared.
He pointed at her, downing a shot. "Aren't you supposed to be on a date?"
"Shouldn't you be at home?"
Draco shrugged, setting the glass down as he studied her. "Are you crying?"
Surprised she reached up and brushed a hand across her cheeks, feeling the moisture there. Before she quite knew what was happening he was on his feet, making his way over to her slowly.
"Are you hurt?" he asked, more concerned than before. Hermione shook her head quickly, taking a deep breath.
"No- no I'm not hurt. I'm frustrated but not hurt."
He titled his head to the side questioningly. "Care to explain?"
She shook her head, deciding that her annoyance with today was what made her speak next. "You were right. Viktor is a jerk."
"Tried something did he?"
"While he has a wife!" she sputtered, apparently unable to believe that bit. "I shooed him away quickly enough."
"Good for you Granger."
"I just feel stupid that you were actually right about something! I thought I was supposed to be the smart one on this team!"
He smiled softly at that, reaching up to lightly flick her in the head. "Sometimes even the smartest people are dumb. We've been over this before Granger; I have far more street smarts than you do. It comes natural to me, while it obviously doesn't to you."
"I knew you were going to boast about this," she grumbled.
Draco shrugged, wandering back towards his desk. He sat down, beckoning to her. "Why don't you pull up a chair?"
"I hate Vodka."
He rolled his eyes, pouring another shot. "Sounds like you've had a shitty night. It probably wouldn't be such a bad idea to relax a little."
She started at him hesitantly for a while, before finally sighing, dragging her chair over beside his. He pulled out a second shot glass from his drawer, something that alarmed her greatly. She didn't comment though as he poured her drink and lifted his own.
"To a happier tomorrow?"
It sounded so weird coming off Malfoy's lips, but she had to agree with what he said. She could definitely toast to that.
"Cheers."
