Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

A/N: I usually don't post Sundays but I decided to post today because it's my official first year on FanFiction and it was also my birthday yesterday so I wanted to give you all a treat. Let's just say things between Hermione and Draco are moving right along.

9. Dinner Plans

Previous Chapter:

"I knew you were going to argue with me about it." Draco shook his head.

"I'm not arguing, I'm talking."

"Yeah, next thing you're going to say is that it's a debate."

She shrugged and looked down, moving some dirt around with her shoe. "Possibly."

Hermione looked up at Malfoy to see him slightly grinning and for some reason, she couldn't help but grin too.

- - -

Granger looked downcast once more as she continued whatever it was she was doing with dirt and her shoe. Draco just watched her. Why would anyone want to move dirt with their shoe? He thought.

Hermione felt Malfoy's gaze on her. "What?" she asked, finally looking up.

"You're-- you're moving dirt... with your foot?" he asked, perplexed.

"I'm not moving dirt with my foot!" she protested, getting a pointed look from him. "So what if I am." she said defiantly, more of a statement than a question.

"Why? I mean, I really see no point in moving dirt with your shoe."

"I'm not moving dirt! I'm... I'm moving it around."

Malfoy looked at her, slightly puzzled before lightly chuckling. "Granger, the things you come up with." he shook his head.

"What's that supposed to mean!" she yelled.

"Don't bite my head off, Granger. I was, believe it or not, trying to be nice."

"Well then... sorry." she mumbled.

Malfoy tried to hide a grin "Sorry, didn't catch that, what is it you said?"

Hermione took a deep breath, "I said sorry, Malfoy."

"Well aren't we making progress?" he smirked.

"And what's that supposed to mean?"!

Draco shut his eyes tightly before opening them a few seconds later "Nothing, nothing at all. Forget I even spoke."

"Well that's easy." Hermione got her newspaper and walked away.

"Wait! Where are you going?" Malfoy asked, coming up behind her.

"I have a job to find." she spoke determinately.

"Look," he said stopping and grabbing her arm as he tried to hold her back. Hermione snatched her arm back as he continued. "I have a friend who's hiring."

"Thanks but no thanks." she said as she turned to leave, only to be held back again.

"Well why not?" he asked.

"Because I would like to stay away from the wizarding world, thank you very much. Now, let go of my arm." Hermione said firmly.

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why do you want to stay away from the wizarding world?"

"Look, can we not talk about this right now. Please." with her last words Draco looked at her eyes, her chocolate brown eyes were almost pleading him to forget the issue and move on. Something about those eyes made him not press the matter.

"Alright." he said simply, letting go of her arm.

"Um, thank you."

Knowing that this was his chance and that he could not screw it up he asked, "What are you doing tonight?"

"Excuse me?"

Draco shrugged "People gotta eat right?"

"What are you getting at, Malfoy?"

"People gotta eat, so what are you doing tonight?"

Hermione scrunched her eyes. "What do you mean by that?"

"Do you want to go and eat tonight." he responded slowly, as if talking to a three year old. "Really, Granger, if you don't get that then how many brain cells have you left?"

"Ha. Ha. Not funny."

"Well I thought it was." he shrugged.

"That makes one of us."

"Yeah, and the other one needs to get a sense of humor."

"HEY!"

"Don't deny the truth, Granger. But I'm not here to argue, are you free or what?"

"Well, what are you implying when you say--" she shook her head "Whatever." Hermione shrugged.

"Is that a no?"

"No."

"So it's a yes?"

Taking a deep breath she nodded, "Unfortunately, yes, it is."

"Great. Where do you live?"

"I don't trust you with that information, Malfoy."

"Oh, c'mon, I'm an angel now, Hermione." he said, giving her his best innocent face whilst saying her name with delicacy and grace. It was weird having her name leave his mouth without some kind of bitter comment.

A little surprised to see him use her first name, Hermione subconsciously decided it sounded nice when he said her name. Wait, what? Did I just say, I mean, think that the way Malfoy says my name sounds... nice?? No, not at all. "You can play it but, can you be it, Draco."

"Fine, since you know where I live, why don't you come over and I'll make us some dinner?"

Hermione raised an eyebrow "You can cook?"

"Of course I can." he said proudly.

"Has anyone ever gone to the hospital after eating your food?"

"Ouch, Granger, that hurt." he replied, putting a hand over his heart in mock hurt.

"Yes or no."

"No. I'm a pretty good cook, if I do say so myself."

"You would." Hermione mumbled.

"What was that?"

"Oh that um, we'll just have to see about that."

"We will, tonight at eight sound good?"

"Perfect."

"See you tonight."

"See you then." they both nodded as they both went in separate directions.

Hermione walked toward the northern gates realizing what she had just done. She had just agreed to eat dinner, with Malfoy, at his place!Bloody hell what's wrong with me!

Malfoy, heading the opposite direction, had a very different reaction. In fact, he was grinning! What an interesting night it shall be.

A/N: Review my loves, review!