Casual
The start of the week had flown by and Hermione found herself anxiously waiting for work to finish on Wednesday. She was trying to focus on the runes in front of her but they were wavering before her eyes. She took it as a good sign that she was this anxious to see Draco. She had coached him on what was acceptable to wear to a casual drink, and he assured her that he would follow her specifications. Finally, at a quarter to six, Hermione stood and put her work away for the day. She walked down the hall towards a bathroom and briefly stopped in to adjust her hair and make-up. Satisfied that she looked alright, she left the bathroom and headed towards the lifts. Taking them down to the main level she stepped out, and her heels clacked on the tile as made her way toward the fireplaces. Grabbing a handful of floo powder she tossed some into the fireplace and called out "The Leaky Cauldron!" When she stepped out of the grate and looked around there was no pale blonde Malfoy in sight. She checked her watch, she was five minutes early. So she headed towards the bar and took a seat. Tom, the innkeeper was working behind the bar and walked towards Hermione. She couldn't fathom how old he must be, he seemed old back when she was in her Hogwarts days.
"Something to drink Ms. Granger?" He asked. She thought for a minute.
"You know Tom, I would love a butterbeer, I haven't had one in ages, and could you put some ginger in that for me?" She asked Tom nodded and shuffled off down the bar.
"Ginger? I thought you were more into blondes these days?" She heard a voice say from behind her. She turned slightly on her stool and grinned at Draco. She eyed his outfit, and he had indeed followed her advice quite closely. He was wearing dark slacks, and a nice cardigan. Still a little upscale for their evening, but Hermione would work on that later.
"Well maybe in regards to guys, yes." He smirked, and she gestured for him to sit next to her. "I really only feel it right to tell you, you are going to get a razzing tonight. And I am really, really sorry about that." Draco cocked a pale blonde eyebrow at Hermione. "George wants to know what you are up to." She gave him a grimace. "Sorry."
"Well I think, given that you have warned me, and not let me go completely unawares, I can forgive you." Tom had shuffled back again with Hermione's drink in hand, and set it before her. She thanked him and he turned to Draco.
"Anything for you then Mr. Malfoy?" He smiled.
"I'll have what she's having." He answered gesturing towards Hermione. Tom nodded and made his way back down the bar again.
"Well I am thankful that you will forgive me for the torture I am sure George intends to inflict upon you." Hermione grinned and took a sip of her beverage.
"Torture?" Draco grinned. "I believe you said a razzing, not torture!"
"With George Weasley, trust me, it is one and the same." The door opened to the Wizard entrance and in strode in none other than George. "Well speak of the devil." Hermione said, she warily eyed George and gave Draco a sorry look.
"Oh come on now Hermione, the only thing devilish about me is my good looks." He put a smarmy grin on his face and took the open seat next to Draco. Hermione chuckled and threw back a large amount of butterbeer. "Well, well, well, my favourite know-it-all, and the slimy white ferret, out on a date. This is peculiar." He said clapping Draco a little too rough on the back.
"George, don't be an ass." Hermione huffed. Tom reappeared and set Draco's drink in front of him.
"Something for you Mr. Weasley?" He asked.
"If I could trouble you for some tea please Tom." George asked. Tom nodded and slowly made his way to the other end of the bar again.
"I'm starting to wish I had ordered something stronger." Draco muttered unhappily.
"Oh come on now Draco, I am just doing my duty. You know, looking out for the young and vulnerable. And Hermione is practically my family so…" Tom actually came back quite a bit faster with the tea and set it in front of George. "Thanks very much." He smiled. Tom nodded and went to see someone else who had just sat at the bar.
"So what?" Draco asked. It sounded almost like a challenge. "I'd wager that Hermione could take both of us in a duel. What does she need you to protect her for?"
"Because, and this might be a challenge for you to grasp, that's what family does. We stand up for each other. Although…you may be right about her duelling skills, care to put it to the test Hermione?" He flashed a grin at her.
"I'll hex you alright." She retorted. "But as for subjecting poor Draco, who has done nothing wrong, by the way, to my wrath seems cruel. Don't you agree?"
"The claws are out!" George laughed. "I'm just messing about here. Hermione why don't you pop to the loo and freshen up, you look a frightful mess!" George winked. Hermione glared at him, but got up anyway and stomped off the bathroom. "Okay, now that I've gotten Hermione out of the way for a moment it's time for me to be serious with you. Hermione seems to think you've changed, and maybe you have, well I hope you have. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that you actually do like her, but the first hint I get of you being an asshole, or jerking her around, I'm coming after you. And please remember that I have siblings who like to hex people too. I always bring my hexing posse with me." George had gotten right up in Draco's face, but leant back with an amicable smile on his face. "Just something to consider, alright Malfoy?" He grinned and slapped a friendly hand on Draco's shoulder and started laughing.
"Oh, George, I hope you didn't say anything stupid." Hermione said upon returning from the bathroom.
"No, it was a…rather illuminating conversation." Draco told Hermione with a small smile on his face.
"Well I hope that's true. Now then George are you planning on buggering off soon, or do you intend to stay the whole evening?"
"Okay now, calm down sassy pants, I'm going, but you are paying for my tea." He said pointing a finger at Hermione.
"What a gentleman you are." She said sarcastically.
"I know." He grinned. "I will see you later." He waved and made his way out of the Leaky Cauldron.
"I am so sorry about that! I just thought that if he saw you were alright he would stay off my back." Hermione sunk her face into her hand.
"Don't worry, its fine, and besides he didn't say anything too bad." Draco grinned and patted Hermione on the back twice. Hermione lifted her face and looked at Draco.
"I'm still sorry, that was awkward and I feel badly." She sighed. "When it's your turn to choose what we do let's make sure it's far from Diagon Alley." They both laughed.
"Deal." Draco promised.
They enjoyed another two drinks chatting about this and that when Hermione declared she needed sleep.
"I'll write you." She said as they stood from the bar. "We should meet up again soon; I had a really good night." She smiled.
"What way are you headed?" Draco asked.
"Just into Diagon Alley, my flat is here so…"
"Why don't I walk you home?" Hermione grinned and nodded.
"Sure." As they wandered down the main road of Diagon Alley a silence fell over the pair. Without much thinking what she was doing Hermione linked her arm into Draco's. The air was a little on the cool side, seeing as spring was just beginning. They didn't say a word to each other until they reached Hermione's apartment building, which was just off of the main road. "Well, goodnight then Draco, thanks for walking me home." Draco nodded and looked over at Hermione.
"It was my pleasure." He told her. She blushed slightly, glad that it wasn't very light out and Draco wouldn't be able to tell. "Well then, goodnight." He grinned.
"Goodnight Draco." She smiled back, and shocking herself, pulled Draco in for a quick hug. "I'll write to you later this week." She promised.
"Okay." Draco watched as Hermione let herself into her building and stood outside it for a couple minutes more. He smiled softly to himself before disapparting with a pop.
AN: Another chapter up! I'd like to thank my guest reviewer from the last chapter. I think I'm liking the role George is taking in this story. :) Please don't be shy and leave me a review. I love them! Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Thanks for reading! :)
