thanks for your reviews! It makes me happy to know people out there in the world likes what I write.. :)
A/N: So the next installment is here! At first I was just going to skip ahead to the day of the date, but something inside me didn't feel right. So as a treat, I have added some interactions in between :P (especially from where I left the last chapter!) They are, however, told through flashbacks, and shown through Draco's POV, (but not first person), so Hermione is known as either "her or she" and Ginny is known as Weaslette, the flashbacks will be in italic and anything in regular font within the italics, is a word said with emphasis :)
**I hope it isn't all that confusing as I tried to put three days in one.**
Chapter 9
Friday Evening
Draco returned from a long and gruelling punishment from Slughorn (he had to clean out the entire classroom without the use of magic) bathed and then got himself ready for bed.
Sleep wasn't coming to him though, as his mind was in a constant frenzy from the first week of dealing with Granger. So here he was, lying atop of his bed, with his hands behind his head and ankles crossed as he gazed up at the star-filled night sky that he had bewitched into the ceiling, remembering.
**flashback**
Wednesday, Hogwarts Library
Thanks to the Weaslette telling the socially awkward, Luna Lovegood, Draco was able to find the Head Girl, after a long afternoon of searching. She had been purposefully avoiding him for the entire day, out of sheer embarrassment of what happened in the corridor - a situation Draco couldn't help but smirk about; his plan was working perfectly! So after walking down several columns of books, he finally spotted the familiar tan shoulder bag resting on a table.
She was sitting by herself in the far off, almost secluded corner, buried in rows of books and feverishly scribbling away on her parchment. There was one positive thing about her 'study mode', she would be completely oblivious to anything else around her - the very situation he could take advantage of quite easily.
Draco strolled over and got himself more comfortable by sitting right on the windowsill just a few feet from where she was seated. He ran a hand through his hair before folding them infront of his chest, and leant back against the frame, wondering how long it would take her to realize he was watching her.
He noticed her hair had been pulled up in a messy pony-tail (a few strands were sticking out from all directions) that sat crooked atop her head. It reminded him briefly of her wild-bushy hair days yet this was different; he could actually see her neck, which he noticed, was rather long.
He watched her as she searched through the plethora of books she had all around her, smile once she found what she was looking for, then resume writing as though there were no interruption at all. It happened a several more times, as he followed her movements every single time, taking notice she never reached for the same book twice.
It was time to act.
He waited until she had her nose buried in a book and had nonverbally summoned a book she hadn't used into his grasp and began to skim through it. For the first bit he was rather anxious to see if she would notice straight away, but knew with the many choices she had, it would probably be another half hour wait. Not that he was in any hurry.
With the sun almost setting, and giving the room a golden glow, he heard her shuffling around the desk. Curious, he peeked over the book and saw that she was searching for something.
"I know it was here," she murmured softly, her brows furrowed as she pouted her lips, "I...I signed it out..."
He watched her for a bit longer as she frantically searched through all the books for the one he was holding.
Donning on his signature smirk, Draco decided to make his presence known, "Looking for this?"
Nothing could explain the expression on her face once she found out that she was no longer alone. He had to hold in his laughter as she nearly had collapsed out of her chair.
"Malfoy!" she hissed, placing her palms upon the desk as she tried to regain her composure, "Heaven's me, you gave me a heart-attack!"
Draco furrowed his brows from the unfamiliar terms she used, but quickly ignored them to proceed, running his fingers along the spine of the book, "You've been avoiding me, Granger," he said in a soft silky tone.
He watched her swallow tightly, as he stood up from the window and walked over to her, standing a mere foot away from her body, "Care to enlighten me about why that is?"
He waited patiently for her response, or rather, her admittance that she was feeling embarrassed, but nothing came, just a small shake of her head.
His lips twitched into a grin as he watched her eyes shift about as she stared at him, "Do you remember what I said to you yesterday?" he tilted his head to the side, causing the fringe of his bangs to fall before his eyes. "About our deal?"
Again, she said nothing, rather, she was too stunned to say anything from being startled out of her studying - or so he figured.
Draco felt the rush again, much like he did when she gave him an appreciative glance the first time; watching as her pupils dilated for the second time. He tilted his head the opposite way, studying her, then gestured toward her using the book in his grasp, "I don't think you do," he dared himself to take a small step forward.
She narrowed her eyes at the small movement and wrinkled her nose, refusing to answer. His lips twitched into a sneer, "So let me make this clear, again"
For the briefest moments he saw a flicker of fear flash through her face. He took a deep breath, and smacked the book down on the table before her, causing her to jump, "When I said, I expect your co-operation, that doesn't mean you avoid me"
She made a light snort sound, "Avoid you, Malfoy? I am Head Girl. I have duties to deal with, student protocols, reporting to the Professors, and handle disciplinary-"
"All lies," he said with a jeering smirk watching as she stepped back an inch, folding her arms across her chest in an attempt to protect herself.
Draco laughed at her behaviour, "Whatever, I don't care anyway. The whole point as to why I am even here, is we need to discuss Saturday."
She muttered under her breath soft enough that he didn't hear it; only from the disdainful look on her face, that it wasn't anything good.
"Your tardiness is starting to annoy me, to the point where this can get real ugly"
"Then stop this nonsense!" she hissed, throwing up her arms in defeat, "Honestly, what do you have to gain out of this?!"
Draco rolled his eyes, "Haven't we already been through this?!" he said in an exasperated tone, "I want nothing more than to watch you squirm, Granger"
She looked like she just got slapped in the face, as Draco just shrugged nonchalantly, "Okay, so now that's been established, hopefully you'll stop bringing it up!" his tone of voice was icy, "Saturday, you will wait for me at the entrance, preferably alone as I do not want to deal with Weasley or Potter anymore than necessary, got it?"
She studied him for a moment before turning her head away, scoffing. She tilted her hips to the side, with her hand placed on top.
He smirked again as he gave her a look up and down, same skirt, same shoes...same look. "Oh...and do try to look more girly," the comment had drawn her attention back to him, "After all, you are with me, and I like my date to look good"
The horrified expression on her face had once again, made him laugh. "Until tomorrow," he whispered with a wink, then turned around and left.
**end**
Draco sat up right, thinking he heard someone at his door, but once he heard nothing but the soft voices echoing from the distant Slytherin Common Room. Sighing heavily, Draco returned to his previous position, this time closing his eyes and concentrated on his shallow breathing.
**flashback**
Thursday, Great Hall, Lunch Time
He watched her from a distance, as she ate her lunch at the Gryffindor table while scribbling away on her parchments.
"You know, if you stare at her long enough, maybe she'll grow horns out of the top of her head!" Blaise said as he sat himself next to him.
Draco snorted at hearing the words, "I'm not staring at her," he dropped his gaze and began to circle his finger along the mouth of the goblet in front of him. "I'm just keeping a close watch on my conquest. Can't be too careful, when money's involved," he then took a sip of water.
"Right, of course how daft of me to not realize such an obvious thing!" his friend mocked.
Draco smacked the goblet down on the table and sneered at hearing Blaise's condescending tone.
"Look," Blaise began, raising his hands in attempt to block off any attack, "I know you're annoyed cause she, once again, got the better of you, and in class no less, but mate, I know the look of desire when I see it. I mean if you want honesty, sparring with her always gets your blood going,"
"Bite your tongue, Zabini!" Draco hissed.
Blaise just laughed, "Ah, you're so easy to rile up when you're angry, it's great. But come on, you gotta admit, she cleaned up pretty well, I mean, for a Mudblood." Blaise motioned back to the Gryffindor table. It was here, he saw that she was no longer alone; and was now accompanied with Harry Potter.
"Other's are starting to notice!"
He gave his friend a jeering sneer, "What, didn't you hear the news? Granger is my date this weekend to Hogsmeade. Potter can flatter her all he wants, but it's me, she'll be with in the end," he stood up, having gone bored with the conversation, adjusted his robes and stalked over to the Gryffindor table.
"I didn't judge you when you went off and dated Cho, did I?" he heard her shout.
"Actually you helped me with that, remember?" Harry retorted "Malfoy is a vile, cruel, down right foul git! He's not just gonna break your heart, Hermione, he'll crush it"
"Oh enough, Harry, seriously!" snapped the Weaslette, "You're giving me a headache! If you want to get mad at someone, make it my asinine brother for cheating on Hermione in the first place!"
"Trouble in paradise, Potter?" Draco said smacking a hand upon Potter's back, as Draco straightened his posture, standing almost a head-taller than Potter. Then ran his other hand through his white-blond hair.
"Shove off, Malfoy!" Harry muttered, shrugging him off arm. "This doesn't concern you!"
"On the contrary, Potter, I think it does," Draco shifted his glance over to Granger. "I appreciate the defense, my dear, but I can take it from here" he shot her a wink for good measure before facing Harry seeing his expression looked as though he just ate something sour.
In a blink of an eye, Harry went to attack him, but Draco just dodged his lame attack and scoffed. Harry then tried again, swinging his fist right at him.
"You think, you can just-" he broke off once his fist had connected with Draco's jaw.
"Detention Potter!" hollered the booming voice of McGonagall as she strolled on over to where the two of them were standing, "Attacking a Prefect..."
"Listen Professor I didn't-" he shot a nasty glare at Draco. "He was supposed to have moved out of the way!"
"I don't want to hear it, Potter, you know the rules! You will serve your detention with me this Saturday, no exceptions!" she said sternly, raising her hand to silence his protest. She then turned her focus to Draco, who was rubbing his chin from the attack, and handed him an identical slip, "Now Mister Malfoy, Professor Slughorn wishes to have his detention with you tomorrow evening,"
"Tomorrow? Why not Saturday?!" croaked Harry. "How do I get mine on the weekend and his not?" but McGonagall just glared at him before stalking off.
Draco couldn't help but grin at the sheer horror on Potter's face, in reaction to what he just heard. Draco waited for the Headmistress to be out of an earshot before facing Granger.
"Well it's quite simple really," Draco said with in a gloating tone, before glancing back at Harry, "You see, Potter, once Slughorn knew of my plans for Saturday, he felt too guilty to keep me locked up when all I wanted was just to spend a full day with my girl..." - he flashed Granger a grin - "Friend, so he changed it to Friday. Who knew Slughorn had such a soft spot for young romances? Which reminds me, I should send him a gift for his generosity"
Harry shook his head, ready to speak, but Draco just dismissed him, "Tut, tut, Potter, you've already got one detention, you certainly don't want another do you?"
"You're not going to get away with this, Malfoy. I am going to tell McGonagall what you did and-"
"All I did, was have a simple conversation with my Head of House, Potter,"
"More like, cursed him..." Harry hissed.
Draco rolled his eyes, "Well you can't prove it, so don't waste your breath."
Harry turned back to Granger, pointing a finger, "Don't say I didn't warn you," and with that, he stormed off.
Draco heard her scoff, as she rolled up her parchments, he folded his arms, and watched her gather up her things, "Come now, I fought off the man who was harassing you, even took a punch; aren't you at least bit impressed?"
"You did it, didn't you?" she said frowning. "You used the Imperius Curse on a teacher!"
Draco rolled his eyes, as if he was that stupid to admit that to the Head Girl. "The use of Unforgivable Curses is so...pre-war, Granger, I just happen to be a very persuasive person, surely you can agree on that?" he gave her his most smoldering look.
She scoffed with disdain before turning her head away.
He smirked once he spotted the blush rising to her cheeks, "I'll see you around," then he made his leave.
**end**
A slight knock came to his door. Not bothering to look at his guest, Draco just breathed out a ragged breath, "What?"
He heard a harsh laugh echo around his overly quiet room, "You know what" it was Blaise, "Did you really use the Imperius Curse on Slughorn so he would change your detention date?"
Opening his eyes, Draco hoisted himself up to a sitting position. Funny, he was just thinking about that very thing! Blaise continued with his explanation, "I overheard Theo discussing it with Pansy; I gotta say, I'm impressed,"
Draco's lips twitched into a menacing grin, "Are you? Cause if memory serves me correctly, you made the deal with me thinking I can't do this. So I'd watch out if I were you, Zabini, or you just might be paying those Galleons earlier than you anticipated."
"Your confidence for this whole thing really astounds me sometimes. It's only been one week, you still got three to go, and a lot can happen in that time frame"
"The only thing I see happening in those three weeks, is having Granger, right here with me, naked" although as he said the words, he couldn't help but groan. He wasn't anywhere near accomplishing that. 'I need to up my game,' he reasoned.
'Now there's a visual...' Blaise smirked, "Don't let Pansy hear you say that,"
Draco shook his head, 'He always has to bring her up...' "Are you done? I want to get to sleep..." he said slowly as he lowered himself onto his back, once again staring up at the bewitched ceiling. 'And think of how to start to really charm Granger,' he shifted slightly to get more comfortable.
Blaise furrowed his brows at the sudden change in his friend's voice, almost like he was plotting something. Then it hit him - tomorrow was Saturday, the first trip to Hogsmeade, the place Draco had admitted he was going with Granger just yesterday.
"Oh yeah," Blaise broke out into a wide toothy grin, "Your date with Granger is tomorrow, how could I forget? Well then I should leave you to your beauty sleep."
Draco scoffed.
"Night Drake," Blaise said before leaving.
Draco took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
**flashback**
Earlier Today in Transfiguration Class
"You know what tomorrow is, Granger?" he said as he started to lean toward her seat.
She shifted a little over more as to keep the distance between them, "Saturday," she muttered, not bothering to look up from her parchment.
Draco smirked, "Cute, but that's not what I meant," he licked his lips, waiting for her response, "It's Hogsmeade. So tell me, do you have your outfit picked out for me yet?"
She shot a glare at him, "I don't wear outfits for anyone but myself," she then continued on with her work.
"Yes, and we all know just how...attractive they can be." he muttered, as he drummed his fingers along the counter top, he saw her flicker a sideways glance, where he immediately stopped. "Come on girl, I'll tell you about mine, if you tell me yours! And who knows? We could end up matching, like a true couple..."
She scoffed, then there was silence for a few more minutes. He waited a few moments longer, hoping, but she wasn't rising to the bait. Disappointed, Draco just proceeded onward, "Fine, be like that. Just tell me one thing; it's not red is it?"
She huffed a breath, "Actually, I haven't decided what I want to wear let alone, decide on a colour," she finished writing and then faced him, "So you'll just have to wait and see,"
He gave a curt nod, "That's fine, just make it good,"
She just rolled her eyes and scoffed. She grabbed her things and then stalked off to the front of the class to hand in the assigned classwork. She turned on her heel, and then marched out of the room, with her nose in the air; not even bothering to look in his direction. The action, caused him to chuckle quietly to himself.
**end**
A small smile crept upon his lips; yes tomorrow will be a very interesting day!
E/N: so after reading the chapter more than once, and I am finally okay with how it all turned out. So their personalities might be a little different, but oh well, whatever. Thanks for reading :)