Chapter 10

They were in the closet putting away her clothes and doing it the 'Muggle' way as Draco liked to call it. He was only joking of course; it gave them more time to banter and talk, doing it this way. They chatted away aimlessly, Hermione wasn't able to pick a fight with him; even if she did disagree with something, instead they kept having witty comments thrown at one another and they were getting along fine. The strange things was that Hermione was fine being alone with him and talking, and she only felt uneasy with all the black clothes in his closet. It just seemed so dark and forbidding.

"Draco we should get more color into your wardrobe." She said innocently, putting a pair of her folded pants on a designated shelf.

"What's wrong with it now?" He asked confused and looking around at his array of clothing.

"It's dismal and dark, there is no character." She said, as if she was stating obvious facts.

Draco gave her an unbelieving look, "There is white in this closet Hermione!" He said pointing to a shirt across the room.

She giggled, "That's a dress shirt, and it doesn't count."

"Fine." He grumbled. "We will go shopping tomorrow, I needed to get stuff anyway."

Hermione froze mid fold, getting suspicious with the word stuff being so vague. "Like what?" She asked, trying to sound casual.

Draco was in the middle of hanging up another shirt, not noticing her body go stiff , and replied nonchalantly, "More clothes for you, lots of closet space to fill, some books; whatever you'd like really, and a wand. Oh and apparently a new wardrobe." He said giving her a smirk.

"No." She replied quickly. Draco had spent enough money on her already, she had so many clothes and there were enough books in this manor to keep her busy for a life time, he already bought her the apartment, that she wasn't going to use and she felt awful about it. She had her own vault and she could buy her own things.

"Pardon me?" He asked hanging up her shirt and looking into her eyes.

"I don't need more clothes or books, and I can pay for my own wand." She stated firmly.

Draco let out a bark of laughter, "I have more than enough money, it's not a big deal."

"Bu-"

"But what? I care and want you to be content and happy, is that so bad? Let me do this." He replied, he was standing his ground and when Draco Malfoy stood his ground there was no going back. Hermione knew that as well as anyone.

"Fine." She muttered.

Draco walked over to her and kissed her forehead, "Please let it go, don't dwell on it."

Hermione let out a heavy breath and folded up her last pair of pants, setting them on the shelf, then she closed her trunk, feeling accomplished with everything put away now. She was exhausted, it had been a busy day and surprisingly she was still pretty emotional, trying to get past the events of Bellatrix was a grueling task and no matter how hard she tried to forget her mind wandered back. But for now she refused to think about it, she was in no mood to dwell and Draco asked her not to, so she would try her best not to.

"So now that's all done, do you want to go out to dinner?"

Hermione looked at him thoughtfully, "What did you have in mind?"

Draco walked over and grabbed her waist in his hands, pulling her close, "Italian? Something fancy."

Draco looked into his silver blue eyes, and for the moment they were clear of all hate, only kindness filled them now and it was foreign to her, yet it looked like it should have been there the whole time. "That sounds like a good idea, but I have nothing fancy to wear."

"Ah," He said kissing her forehead, Hermione had to try to pull away, it still felt strange. "I have that covered." He snapped his fingers and led her to the bedroom, and lying on a bed was a silver garment bag. "Go get changed."

Hermione hesitantly picked up the bag as if it were fragile and headed to the bathroom. She hung up the dress on the golden hook behind the door, unzipping it , revealing a forest green dress, with short sleeves and a suggestive low neck line. Hermione didn't think twice, but took the dress off the hanger and slipped it on. If Draco was going to spend this kind of money, the least she could do was actually wear it.

The soft fabric of the dress fit her tightly, and right below the deep V neckline was a sinched waistline that made her tiny waist even smaller, and the only thing she didn't like was how deep the neckline plunged, other than that it was the perfect length and the perfect fit. Walking over to the mirror, Hermione realized she didn't look that bad, apart from her curly hair that was beginning to get out of hand.

Turning on the faucet, she cupped her hands to gather water and tossed it onto her hair repeatedly until it was damp, then she took her palms and pressed down to tame the frizz. The poof went away and the curls remained, all in all it didn't look too bad. She wished she had her wand to make it wavy and to perfection, but it did look acceptable how it was now. She had no make-up on, but with such a stunning dress she didn't need it, it would just be taking away from the beauty of the dress and going to o far.

Taking a deep breath, she opened the bathroom door, nearly stumbling over a pair of black dress heels. They were shiny and very classy, high enough to lengthen her legs but short enough to keep the class. She slipped them on quickly; it had been a long time since she had worn something this fancy. The Yule ball if she had remembered correctly.

She looked up after putting on the heels and saw Draco dressed in a black suit, with his blonde hair combed through and hanging freely, not slicked back like it used to be. She preferred it this way, didn't look so old fashioned. Hermione knew Draco had always cleaned up nicely, but she had never taken the time to notice just how nice he could look. The suit fit him perfectly, complimenting every part of his body, making him look charming and superior. It was intimidating, if you couldn't see his eyes, which shone with wonder.

"You look amazing." He breathed, making Hermione blush. "Shall we go?" He asked extending his hand to her. Hermione only nodded, afraid to speak, before taking his hand and hanging on tightly as she felt the sucking and pulling on her body as they aparrated, landing in the middle of the side walk.

After regaining her balance, Hermione took her hand off of Draco's and walked by his side. "Where are we and what restaurant did you choose?"

"France," Draco smirked, " And probably no restaurant you've been. Its called Le Gavroche."

Hermione wanted desperately to wipe that smirk off his face by saying she had been there, but she hadn't, she wasant experienced with travelling, and she knew she couldn't lie to Draco because he would only ask questions and she wouldn't be able to answer any of them. So nodding she just walked on, ignoring the feeling of stupidity she felt inside her.

Once they reached the restaurant, Draco opened the large glass door for Hermione to enter. Upon entering Hermione could see tables with candles and white clothes and wine glasses at every table. Some were square and some circular and there were couple sitting close and talking, and there were four or five groups that looked as if they were having an engagement dinner. To set the mood Hermione could hear soft piano music playing in the background.

The hostess, a twiggy man with a bad mustache, greeted Draco with wide eyes and a cheeky smile. "Monsieur Malfoy," Was the only thing Hermione could understand as they exchanged greeting in French.

Hermione wouldn't admit it but hearing Malfoy walk in another language so fluently was attractive, especially in the most attractive language known to man. He could be calling her a Mudblood and she would find it absolutely beautiful. Hermione was just standing there in awe and didn't even realize when Draco grabbed her hand putting it in the crook of his elbow and towing her along.

The heels were making her struggle with walking, but with Draco's poise she looked as graceful as he; she was certain no one saw her stumble. She blushed when they were brought to a secluded corner, with a small couples table and a candle lit in the middle, she blushed harder as Draco pulled the chair out for her to sit in. "Thank you." She mumbled.

Everything about this restaurant didn't scream Hermione, she would never be caught in a place like this, she didn't know what to do or how to behave in social situations, the Yule ball was embarrassing enough for her to function and she knew even less how to act when you are of high status such as the Malfoys. Their status was so high from money and their pureblood nobility that despite all the problems going one, they would remain well known and respected.

Draco sat down across from her, "Do you like it?"

'No' Hermione thought. She looked at him and smiled, "It's absolutely stunning." That was the truth and enough to make him think she liked it. It's not that she didn't like it, it's just that it was far to beautiful and fancy for her taste, maybe she just couldn't fit in here. She hardly fit in anywhere, even the Three Broomsticks, much less an expensive restaurant.

A blonde and busy waitress came over in no time, giving puppy eyes of love in Draco's direction and daggers of Death in Hermione's. Honestly, some girl can take no hints, obviously they were out together not wanting a third party. It only got worse as they exchanged words in French and the blonde giggled, twirling the end of her hair. Hermione wanted no more than to know what they were saying at that moment, but she decided to keep her mouth shut. She didn't own Draco, and she didn't need to get possessive, he was who he was and no amount of Veela blood or war was going to change him.

The waitress left quickly, not quick enough in Hermione's opinion, and Draco turned his attention back to Hermione. "Do you like wine? I ordered some."

'Is that all you did' Hermione thought bitterly. "I've never had it before."

"There's a first time for everything." She smiled.

An award yet comfortable silence filled the air around them. It was awkward because Hermione felt strange and had no clue what to do for conversation, but it was comfortable because Draco looked content, just staring at her. "You know this is a Muggle restaurant."

"Really?" Hermione asked, shocked and confused. "But the hostess, he knew you."

"Believe it or not Hermione the Malfoy's are known all over. We are feared and respected across the globe. Even if my father says he hates Muggles and Muggle borns, them liking us and respecting us has certain perks in his eyes."

Hermione sat with nothing left to say because she was quite shocked, so they sat in another stretch of silence before Draco spoke up. "Do you want to order or shall I order for you?"

Hermione looked away ashamed, "I can't speak or read French so I have no idea what I am doing." She felt embarrassed, like it wasn't normal for her not to understand French.

"I'll cover for you then," Draco said, and right on cue the waitress came back with a bottle of pink wine and poured some in their glasses.

She spoke a little and then Draco spoke cak and she replied and then she left. It was a much shorter conversation than the first, which Hermione was grateful for. Hermione say still after the waitress left, with Draco's gaze on her and the only thing she could do was fidget with her fingers and her thoughts and nerves took over. There were just so many butterflies in her stomach and so many confusing and negative thoughts that Hermione just couldn't keep up with it anymore.

"You are unhappy." Draco stated.

Hermione's head shot up, eyes locking with Draco. "I didn't say that."

"You didn't have to," Draco sighed, "If you want to leave we can."

"No!" Hermione gasped, grabbing his hand that rested on the table. "It's not that. I am just slightly nervous is all, I don't belong in places like this." She pulled her hand back and began fidgeting again.

Draco looked at her with soft eyes, "You belong anywhere that I am."

Hermione looked at him, a small smile gracing her lips. "Aren't you romantic this evening."

Draco leaned back with a smirk on his face, "I try." After a moment of staring at her, a serious and questioning expression went over his face. "Where do you see yourself in five years?"

Hermione was taken aback, no one really asked her that question before, and mainly because no one cared or thought she would make it through the war; despite being the brightest witch of her age. It wasn't a life or death question but it was one she wanted to think through, she saw all the possibilities ahead of her. She always had a dream about helping with Elf Rights, making a law stating that they should get paid for their services like any other person. She had, at one point, wanted to get married and have children perhaps, not that she would be a good mother. She didn't think too hightly of herself in that end, she had no experience being an only child. She has also wanted to be a professor at Hogwarts; correcting essays and tests, there were a lot of things she wanted to do. Maybe even be an Auror, she was brilliant in fighting and skilled at discovering the evil ones. But none of them seemed realistic.

She let out a heavy sigh and finally looked at Draco, "I don't know."

"Close your eyes." Hermione did as told. "imagine there is no war and if there is a war, it's over and your side won." She flinched at the 'your side' comment, reminding her that once again they were on opposite sides. "What would you see?"

Hermione kept her eyes shut and saw herself in a large white house, with a rose bush garden out front and bright green grass. On the porch would be a swing, which she would sit at with a book in her hand and the sun shining off of her wedding ring. Meanwhile in the yard two children would be playing along with their pet dog. That's all she saw, it was rather Muggle, but it wasn't so bad and she didn't see a career in her head yet, but she never graduated from Hogwarts so that was expected.

She opened her eyes and looked at Draco, a small smile gracing her lips, "I'm married with 2 kids and a nice white house. I have multiple career options, but seeing as I haven't graduated, and most likely won't, I have no idea what to do."

"If you had to pick one, which would it be?"

"Elfish Welfare."

Draco laughed at her eager response, "Of course you would."

"There is nothing wrong with that!" She giggled. "What about you? What do you see?" She said quietly, changing the subject to him.

"Easy, Dark Lords first in command." Hermione flinched at his quick answer.