Disclaimer: I sadly still do not own Harry Potter, what I do own is…nothing -_-
Hermione woke up feeling refreshed. Stretching she stepped out of bed and walked towards the bathroom, remembering to knock before she entered.
"I'm decent!" Draco called. Hermione turned the handle and entered the bathroom yawning. Grabbing her toothbrush she proceeded to brush her teeth. After using a bit of mouth rinse she washed her face and combed her hair.
"Good morning Hermione." Draco said after he finished brushing his teeth.
"Good morning Draco, I'm sorry about yesterday." Hermione said, blushing.
"It should be me apologizing, I've never made a girl cry by kissing her." Hermione cracked a smile.
"Draco it's just I'm not ready, for any of this." she said, "I just got swept away in the moment."
"I feel the same way, not that your not a lovely woman, I'm just not looking for that." Hermione smiled and the two continued to get ready. After, the two returned to their rooms and got dressed, thankful that today was Friday. As Hermione exited her bedroom, she found Draco waiting just as he did every morning.
"So Hermione, considering tomorrow is the first Hogsmeade trip of the year, I was wondering if you wanted to accompany me to a small café book store place thing." Hermione laughed.
"Before I say yes, what is a café book store place thing?" Draco rolled his eyes playfully.
"They sell books and food, it's really rather nice."
"In that case I would love you to join at the café book place thing!" she exclaimed.
"Alright Granger, don't wet yourself." Hermione snorted and the two walked down to the Great Hall. Hermione kissed Draco on the cheek, just as she did each day, before they departed for their designated tables. As Hermione sat down, she was greeted with smiles belonging to Harry and Ginny.
"Morning Mione!" Ginny said as she bit into her toast. Harry who was in the midst of chewing his eggs nodded.
"So what plans do you have for tomorrow?" Harry asked after he swallowed.
"Well Draco was telling me about this book store he wanted to take me to." she replied, while spreading marmalade on her toast.
"Well that sounds like fun." Ginny said. "Maybe after you could meet Harry and I for a butterbeer?" She offered.
"That sounds lovely." she replied.
Just then, Ron and Lavender entered the Great Hall, ignoring all the dirty looks they were getting, they took seats a few down from Hermione, Harry, and Ginny, and were talking loudly just to draw attention to themselves.
"So Pavarti, me and Ronald, (thank God, she dropped 'Ron Ron') are planning on getting married as soon as possible. We were thinking in December, and I was wondering if you wanted to be my maid of honor." she asked. Pavarti giggled, playing along,
"I would love to Lav, I can't wait."
"Potter!" Lavender called, Harry looked up a little confused.
"Ronnie has something to ask you?" she said annoyingly. Harry raised his eye brow to Ron who blushed slightly.
"Will you be my best man?" he asked boldly, getting his confidence back. Snorting Harry shook his head.
"No Ron." he said simply.
"Oh come on, are you really going to side with that bitch." Ron said pointing to Hermione, suddenly the whole hall went quiet.
"Ron, I can't even look at you." Harry said disappointedly. Turning to leave, he and Ginny walked out. Silence took over until Draco came into the equation.
"Weasley, you better watch it." Draco warned as he walked past him.
"Yeah ok." he said standing up. Draco turned around and faced him.
"Weasley, I don't think you want to push me, I was once in Voldermort's inner circle, I know more evil then you can imagine. And if you do anything to Hermione I might put my good judgment behind me and use it." Draco threatened. Ron, now blushing madly, choose to sit down at this. Lavender put his arm around him and gave Draco a dirty.
"What are you looking at slut?" he said, disgusted and walked over to Hermione. Throwing his arm around her the two exited the Great Hall to an applause.
"Thanks Draco," Hermione laughed, "I especially liked the slut part." Draco also chuckled.
"That was honestly, my pleasure." The couple departed, Draco had Herbology and Hermione had History of Magic. When Hermione entered Harry was sitting alone, talking to Dean and Seamus.
"Hey Harry, Seamus and of course Dean." she said, taking the empty seat next to him. Harry grinned,
"Ron's an idiot, remember that." Hermione laughed.
"I've known that for awhile."
"Draco seems good for you." Dean added.
"Never liked that bloke much, but he seems ok." Seamus admitted.
"Seamus I felt the same way, but he really did change, and now he's really sweet." she assured.
"You seem happier then you ever were with 'Ronnie'." Dean added with a laugh. By this time most of the class was in and Mr. Bins began to drawl on about Troll rebellions. Hermione took notes as always but wasn't really into today. Many assignments and several classes later school was over and Hermione headed to the library accompanied by Harry. The two had a potions project to work on together. After about an hour, Harry left because he had quidditch practice. Hermione sat alone reading until dinner, after eating with Draco, the two left for head dorms. Grabbing a book, Hermione sat down on the couch. Draco disappeared into his bedroom and came out with some parchment and a quill. The two sat together, working quietly, until Hermione bid Draco goodnight. Finishing his homework, Draco also decided to join his bed for the night. Yawning he climbed into bed and went to sleep.
Hermione woke up the next morning with a smile. She jumped out of bed and hopped into the shower. After a good twenty minutes she got out and quickly dressed. Still smiling, she greeted Draco happily.
"I'm pretty excited!" Hermione exclaimed.
"I'm glad to know your not dreading it." Draco said sounding relived. Hermione laughed, "So instead of hitting of the Great Hall, let's just go to the café." he suggested.
"Alright." Hermione agreed, shortly after the two departed for the small village.
"This place is wonderful." Hermione exclaimed, as Draco opened the door for her. "I can't believe I've never been here before."
The store was a little run down but had a certain charm to it that Hermione and Draco loved. There were iron garden tables to sit at, and a small glass counter with several different pastries and dessert items to choose from. The walls were lined with dark stained book cases that were stocked full with books. Feeling as if she was in heaven, Hermione immediately started looking through the books, while Draco went and got them breakfast. After about fifteen minutes Draco pulled Hermione away to eat.
"How did you know I loved croissants?" Hermione asked, happy with Draco's choice.
"You just seem like a croissant loving girl." he laughed.
Hermione smiled and spread marmalade on hers.
"You know Draco, I wasn't invited to Ron's wedding." Hermione said.
"Isn't that a good thing?" he asked confused.
"I suppose, I'm just kind of hurt." she said glumly. "I mean most of the wizarding world is going to be there, except me."
"Is Potter going?" Draco asked.
"Yes, Molly begged him and Ginny to show, he always had a soft spot for her." she said, cracking a slight smile at her last words. "That was suppose to be my wedding, before that bitch came in and ruined it."
"Hermione, aren't you happy we found him and Lavender that night?" Draco asked. There was a brief silence, and Hermione groaned.
"I guess, but he cheated on me and was a total jerk, yet he's the one who every night goes to bed with someone who loves him, meanwhile I have a fake date, which is even more pathetic the dating that ginger bastard in the first place." Hermione said, catching her breath.
"Hermione, Lavender loves him, one of the dumbest girls Hogwarts has ever known, they're honestly perfect for each other." he laughed, trying to lighten the mood. "And even if we are only 'fake' dating, I still have feeling for you Hermione." he admitted, to her and himself for the first. Then he leaned in, and kissed her. Only this time Hermione didn't object, in fact inside, she knew she secretly wanted him to. After they broke apart, the couple kept eye contact for a few seconds and silence swept over.
"That felt nice." Hermione admitted, Draco nodded in agreement.
"Hermione, originally when I was looking for your birthday present I was going to buy you a garnet for Gryffindor. But the more I thought about it the more I wanted to link the present to myself. I realized that I might just have actual feelings for you, but I wasn't ready to admit it yet to myself. And then after what Lavender did yesterday it hurt me what she did to you and I knew there was no more denying." Hermione starred into his silver eyes and found only truth in what he said.
Hermione let a smile grace her lips and this time she started the kiss. After a few minutes they once again broke apart.
"Hermione, maybe we should end our arrangement.." Draco said. Hermione looked a little confused.
"I no longer feel like you need me as your fake date, though I wouldn't say no to being your real one."
Hermione grinned and nodded her head.
"Draco are you sure?" Hermione asked.
"Absolutely." he said.
I'm so sorry for the long wait. I had out of town relatives visit and my mother took away my computer. Sadly, it might be another week till I'll be able to post because I will be going out of town to stay with my aunt and I'm not sure if I'll have the luxury internet. Please review, thanks J.