It's Been a While: Chapter 10
Draco's POV
By five o'clock on Sunday, I'm sitting in Cornelius Fudge's office signing papers and putting a down payment on a flat.
"Thank you for your time, Mr. Fudge."
"You're quite welcome, Mr. Malfoy. I'm sure your father will be most pleased with your selection. If you need anything or have any questions, don't hesitate to call me." He hands me the keys to my new flat as well as his business card. "Regards to your parents."
"I will. Enjoy the rest of your afternoon." He sees me out of his office. I feel a hop in my step as I walk back to my car. I can't believe I've just put a down payment on my own flat. My parents and I will have much to discuss over dinner.
Hermione's POV
"Please tell me you've had more luck than I've had finding a job." I say to Harry as we enter my room.
"A bit. I found somewhere with an opening in the fall. I had my interview, which ran spectacularly, and I'm crossing my fingers that I get the job. You really haven't found anywhere?"
"No." I groan.
"Just ask Draco, you stubborn woman. He'll be happy to help you."
"I suppose that's the only option I have now... Maybe in a few days."
"No. Don't give yourself a few more days. Ask him soon. Ask him tonight or tomorrow."
"Fine." I throw a pillow at him, but he catches it and throws it right back. "I'll call him later."
"Good." Harry's phone beeps. "Speak of the devil. He's sent me a text message. He just put a down payment on a flat!"
"That was fast. Tell him I said congratulations."
"Tell him yourself when you call to ask for a job." He smirks and I throw a pillow at him again. This time, he doesn't see it so he gets hit in the head. "Excuse me, I'm trying to send a text message." We hear Lily call for him downstairs. "Well, that's my cue. Let me know what Draco says. See you later." He kisses my cheek and leaves the room.
I wait half an hour to call Malfoy because I'm nervous, which I am embarrassed to admit. The phone rings three times. Four times. Five times. I'm about to hang up when he answers.
"Granger. And to what do I owe the honor of this phone call?" He drawls.
"Good evening, Malfoy. Am I interrupting anything?"
"No, not at all. Just finished dinner."
"Okay. Well, I called to ask about a job..."
"So you finally gave up looking?"
"I did. I've turned out more than unsuccessful."
"Hermione Granger does not turn out unsuccessful under any circumstance."
"Don't mock me, Malfoy. I was enjoying being friends." I smile at the sound of his laugh.
"I'll be able to find a position for you. It's just that I've just found a flat, so I'm going to be pretty busy this week, getting ready to move in and everything..."
"Harry told me about that. Congratulations."
"I'm really happy about it." I can hear the excitement in his voice. "Anyway, you'll just have to give me a few days. I'm sure I can find something for you by the end of the week and we can have you hired in no time."
"I really appreciate what you're doing for me. Thank you."
"It's really not a problem." The line goes quiet and for a second I start to think the call disconnected, but then he says, "Thank you." The tone of his voice has changed.
"For what?"
"For the stuffed dog." Heat rises to my cheeks.
"Oh. I really had no idea what to get you, but I remembered seeing that stuffed dog in your rear windshield the day I came back home. I didn't even know you liked dogs." I say quickly, biting the inside of my cheek. "But you're welcome."
"Well, I should go. I don't want to use up your time. I've been known to do that." He chuckles. "I'll let you know as soon as I secure I position for you."
"Thanks again, Malfoy."
"You're very welcome. Goodnight, Hermione." My face feels even warmer than before.
"Bye." But he's gone.
xxxxxxxxxx
The next morning, Mum shakes me awake.
"Sweetheart, you have a phone call." She places the phone in my hand then scurries out of the room.
"Hullo?" I croak.
"Hello, is this Hermione Granger?" The voice on the other line sounds familiar, but I can't quite place it. Maybe someone is calling me about a job application. I sit up.
"This is she. Who's calling?"
"Have you forgotten my voice already, Miss?" I almost drop the phone.
"Ja-Jacob?!" I screech.
"Good morning. Did you have a good night's sleep?"
"Jacob? Is this really you? How- how did you get the phone number to my house?"
"Yes, it's me. I called information and gave them your name."
"Aren't long distance calls expensive?"
"I wouldn't necessarily consider this phone call 'long distance'..."
"What are you on about, Jacob?"
"What will you be doing in an hour's time?"
"Idunno. Nothing... Why?"
"How would you like to show me around London?"
"You're joking."
"I'm not."
"You are not in London."
"I am. Would you like me to prove it? Check your email." I jump out of bed and open my laptop. Sure enough, there's an email from Jacob. Attached to the email is a picture of him in front of a large sign that says 'WELCOME TO LONDON, ENGLAND'.
"Welcome to London, England."
"I got a nice old man to take the picture for me when I got off the plane. So... what will you be doing in an hour's time?"
"Introducing you to my parents." I give him my address.
"See you soon." He hangs up and I bolt down the stairs.
"You'll never guess who I just spoke to." I say to my parents.
"The young man you met before we left." Mum answers.
"How did you know?"
"Sweetheart, of course I know. I wouldn't have given you the phone if I didn't know who was asking for you."
"Did you invite him here? I'd like to meet him before I even consider letting you go anywhere with him." Dad pipes up.
"Yes, of course, Dad."
"Good. Off you go. I'm sure you'd like to look nice for your visitor." I bolt back up the stairs, smiling to myself about Dad's protectiveness.
The doorbell rings when I'm coating my lips with lip balm. I quickly walk down the stairs to get to the front door before anyone else. I swing the door open and say, "Hi Jac- Harry?"
"Oh good, so you are home." He steps into the house. "Hi Mary, hi David!" He calls to them and goes to sit down on the couch. "You look awfully nice for someone who isn't doing anything today."
"Actually, I'm expecting some-" The doorbell rings. I rush to the door and open it.
"Hey." He's here. He's actually here, standing at my doorstep. In all his blonde-haired, blue-eyed glory.
"Hi." I say breathlessly. "Come in." I lead him to the living room. Harry is still sitting on the couch. "Erm. Jacob, this is my best friend, Harry. Harry, this is Jacob." Jacob puts his suitcase down and Harry stands. They shake hands.
"I'm sorry if I've interrupted any of your plans today." Jacob says.
"You haven't. Harry was just leaving." I shoot a look at Harry, hoping he understands that he needs to leave.
He narrows his eyes at me but says, "Right. I'll see you later, 'Mione." He kisses me on the cheek. "Nice meeting you, Jacob. I'm sure I'll see you around soon." I watch him through the window as he walks to his car.
"Hey." He says again.
"Hi." I say again. He gently reaches for my hand and I let him take it. "I'll introduce you to my parents." I lead him to the threshold of the kitchen then slip my hand out of his. "Mum, Dad. This is Jacob." Jacob approaches them and shakes both their hands.
"Hello, Jacob." Mum smiles at him. "Is this your first time in London?"
"No, ma'am. I've been here once before, but it was a long time ago." He answers politely.
"How do you know Hermione?" Dad asks coolly.
"To be honest, sir, I met her the day you left for the airport. I was one of the bellboys helping you move things out of your room. We were in the same graduating class at Columbia, though."
Dad's interest has been piqued. "You attended Columbia? What did you study?"
"History, sir."
"I see. Hermione's best friend, Harry, graduated with a degree in history. He was here just a moment ago..."
"He left, Dad." I say quickly. He nods.
"Well, Hermione's father and I have just prepared lunch. Would you like to join us?" Mum asks.
"I'd love to, ma'am." Mum sets four plates on the dining table and takes a plate of sandwiches from the refrigerator. Dad places a few condiments on the table. The four of us sit down and eat.
"So how long will you be staying here, Jacob?" Dad asks.
"Until Sunday evening, sir."
"And have you found a place to stay?"
"Yes, I have a hotel room reserved for the week. It's about halfway between here and the airport."
"Very good."
Mum looks at me and says, "Sweetheart, make sure you take Jacob site-seeing while he's here. He'll enjoy the history London has to offer."
"I will."
"Go on and have fun. Your father and I will take care of the dishes. Jacob, we'd love it if you would have dinner with us sometime this week."
"Of course, ma'am."
I turn to Jacob, "I'm just going to get my purse. Then we can go."
"Sure." Once I have my purse, we say goodbye to my parents and get into my car. "So what do you have planned for me?"
"I was wondering if you'd like to meet my friends."
"Well, sure. What did you have in mind?"
"Something in the British tradition." He looks at me speculatively. "Afternoon tea." He smiles.
"Sounds good to me." I make the short drive to Harry's house, park the car, and call his cellphone. He answers almost immediately.
"Yeeeeeeeeeeeeessss?"
"Harry, come outside."
"Bored of your American boy already?"
"Oh, shut it. Let's go to the café for tea." The line goes dead. Stupid git hung up on me. I'm about to call him back, but I feel one of the back doors being opened.
"Hello again, friends." Harry closes the car door.
"So you two are best friends AND neighbors?" Jacob turns in his seat to face Harry.
"Yes." Harry says, smiling widely.
"What is everyone else doing right now?" I ask.
"Ginny volunteers on Mondays, remember? And Ron and Draco should be at work."
"Damn. Well, they'll just have to go on their lunch breaks, won't they? Call them for me."
"Is she always this bossy?" Jacob asks, laughing.
"You have no idea." I stick my tongue out at Harry and he smirks at me. I start driving as he calls Ginny, Ron, and Malfoy. "Gin didn't even give me time to finish explaining. She'll probably be there before us. Ron said he'd be a little late; he's finishing up some work. And there was no answer from Draco; that bloke is too busy for his own good."
"That's alright. Two out of three is good for now." I silently thank God for my luck. I'm not sure how I'd handle the introduction of Jacob to Malfoy. It's better to be safe than sorry. "Malfoy will just have to meet him this weekend."
Harry, Jacob, and I walk down the very familiar road to the café. I point out certain things that Jacob may find interesting. Harry points out my favorite bookstore, informing Jacob that I 'spend most of my life in there', which earns him a slap on the arm. Ginny is already sitting at a table when we get to the café.
"Hello. I'm Ginny." Ginny stands and shakes Jacob's hand.
"Jacob. Very nice to meet you." Ginny quirks her eyebrow when she sees Jacob pulling my chair out for me. Ron arrives as soon as we sit down.
"Hey, Ron." Harry says as Ron joins us.
"Ron, this is Jacob. Jacob, this is Ron."
"Hey, mate." Ron shakes his hand. "Sorry I'm a bit late. Really had to finish the work I started."
"You weren't late. We just arrived ourselves." Harry explains.
"I've only got an hour for lunch." Ron says.
"Me too." Ginny adds. I see that Luke is working today so I call him over.
"Hi Luke."
"Hello, Hermione. Ginny. Harry. Ron. Nice seeing you all here. It's been a while."
"Luke, this is Jacob. He's visiting from New York."
"A friend from New York? Hello, Jacob." He pauses. "Where's that other friend of yours, Hermione?"
"Uh, what friend, Luke?" I stammer.
"That Malfoy guy. He's normally here with you." Luke smirks ever so slightly. I ignore the looks Ginny, Ron, and Harry are giving me.
I answer warily, "He's... he's at work, I think." Harry covers his mouth as he coughs once. I'm certain I see a smile hidden behind his hand.
"Sorry. Itchy throat." Harry glances in Luke's direction for a second. When I look back at Luke, he's walking into the café. He brings us some tea and croissants.
After he's gone, Ginny doesn't wait to begin her interrogation. I give Jacob a sympathetic look and mouth 'sorry' to him. He grins and continues answering Ginny's questions. When Ginny is done, he retaliates with his own round of questions, which Ginny takes delight in. He and Ron hit it off; they seem to have the same interests: food and TV.
Ron and Ginny give me a discrete nod of approval before they leave, which makes me smile. Harry and Jacob talk about history while we finish the rest of our tea, and while we walk back to the car, and while I drive back to Harry's house.
"Well, I'll finally let 'Mione have you. Thanks for putting up with us this afternoon." Harry says as he gets out of the car.
Jacob rolls down the window. "No, thanks for putting up with me." Harry smiles.
"Have fun site-seeing this week. See you two this weekend." Harry goes into the house.
"What's this weekend?" Jacob asks me.
"We're going to a club."
"I didn't know you liked clubs."
"I don't." I smile.
"Harry, Ron, and Ginny are going?"
"Yeah. Ron's girlfriend, too." Then I quickly add, "And our friend Draco Malfoy and his girlfriend."
"Your friends are great."
"They are. Most of the time." He laughs.
"Where are we off to next?"
"Let's go sit in the park." And so we do. We sit in my favorite park for hours and we talk about everything under the sun. The sky is pink and orange when we finally stand up to leave. "I should get you to your hotel." We travel in a comfortable silence with my hand lying on the center console and his hand lying on top of mine. When I pull up in front of the hotel, I say to him, "You're in for a long week, Jacob Schwitter."
"I look forward to spending it with you." He leans over then hesitates, his face just inches from mine. He gingerly kisses my cheek. "Goodnight." He gets out of the car and waves before he enters the building.
I exhale loudly and answer him, even though he's not in the car anymore. "Goodnight."
Draco's POV
After days of packing and preparation, Harry, Ron, Blaise, Theo, Ginny, and I are carrying boxes into my new flat.
"Thanks for helping me out today, guys. I really appreciate it." I say to them as we put the boxes in the soon-to-be living room.
"Not a problem. Anything for you, Drakie booboo." Harry says obnoxiously. The rest of them snicker loudly.
"Is that it?" Ginny asks, sitting down on the couch. "I hope it is, because I'm tired."
"Yeah, that's it." I settle down into an armchair. Harry and Ron sit on either side of Ginny; Blaise and Theo occupy the loveseat.
"How'd you acquire all this furniture so quickly, mate?" Ron sinks his body further into the couch cushions.
"Extra furniture from Auntie Bella's house."
"I wouldn't imagine this kind of furniture to be in your Aunt Bella's house." Theo says.
"Exactly. Which is why it's extra furniture."
"So why did she have it if she was never planning to use it?"
"Auntie Bella's best friend owns a custom furniture company. Apparently the couple that ordered all this divorced before they could move into their new house. The company couldn't trash the merchandise. It was all custom-made. So they sold everything to my aunt half-price. Luck of the draw, my friends." I smirk at them. We lounge around for a while. Blaise decide to leave when he sees Theo start to doze off.
"Do you need help unpacking these boxes?" Ginny asks, a yawn escapes her mouth.
I chuckle. "No, that's alright. I don't want you three to pass out from exhaustion. If I need help, you'll be the first to know." Both and Ginny and Ron have their eyes closed. I look to Harry. "Speaking of help, why wasn't Granger here today?"
"She's been with her American boy all bloody week. Haven't seen them since Monday." He's here in London? Since when? I don't let my composure slip because, for some reason, I can tell that Harry's trying to measure my reaction.
"So you've met him already?" I say coolly.
"We've all met him. Except you. We had tea with him on Monday. If you had answered my phone call that afternoon, maybe you would have been able to meet him too."
I feign disinterest. "So they've been out all week?"
"I suppose so." Harry's smirking at me. "'Mione said she was going to take him site-seeing most of this week."
"I see."
"So, uh... Where's Astoria?"
Guarded, I answer, "Spending the night at her family's beach house. Why?"
"Just wondering. I figured she would have been here helping." He pauses to check if Ginny and Ron are asleep. Then, with actual concern in his voice, he asks, "Is everything okay between you two? You seem liked you've put a bit of distance between yourselves."
"Idunno, mate. I've been so busy. Whenever she wants to spend time with me, I can't see her and whenever I'm free to see her, she's not in town. I like her and all, I'm just not sure if this is working out so well."
"What are you going to do? It's obvious she has very strong feelings for you."
"I know. I want things to work, but there's only so much I can do."
"Sounds like you're unsure of yourself. What's holding you back?"
"I wish I knew. Astoria is sweet and she's beautiful and she SHOULD be everything I want. I know I should be putting a lot more effort into our relationship, but I'm not." Harry opens his mouth to say something, but he stops himself. "What is it? You looked like you were about to say something."
He looks like he's deep in thought, but he only says, "Nothing. I'm sure you'll figure everything out soon."
"I hope so." He half-smiles then shakes Ginny and Ron awake.
"Come on, you two. Let's leave Draco to his unpacking." Ginny and Ron wave sleepily at me and walk to the front door. "Do you want me to help you? I can come back after I take them to their house. You're on my way back home anyway."
"It's alright. I'm just going to unpack my clothes tonight. I'll unpack everything else on Sunday. I'll let you know if I need help."
"Okay. We'll see you tomorrow, then." He shakes my shoulder a bit as he walks away. I lock the front door behind them. I put clean sheets on my bed before I begin to unpack my clothes. Unpacking is relatively easy because Grace was kind enough to neatly fold and organize my clothes in each box. I unpack until I'm too tired to focus on the task at hand, but when I lay in bed, ready to rest, my mind is too awake to go to sleep. What exactly is holding me back? I've no reason to NOT want to be with Astoria, right?
AN: Okay, I feel like this chapter was fairly empty and unexciting... Maybe it's just because there wasn't much HermionexDraco interaction. Damn you Jacob for blinding her with your charming blonde hair and blue eyes and for stealing Hermione away for the whole week.