Chapter 10

Granger,I was clearing out some old books from the shop, and I was going to donate them, but I thought I'd send some along to you first. Let me know if you'd like to have them.Thoughtfully Yours,Draco Malfoy

Hermione clutched the letter in her hand and felt herself shaking with excitement and nerves. Malfoy had thought of her love of books and offered to send some her way. Her head was spinning at the thought that this could be the same boy from second year that called her a... well, yes, times have certainly changed. She hurried to her desk and pulled a sheet of muggle paper toward her and a pen. She giggled to herself at the thought of Malfoys face upon receiving a letter like this.

Malfoy,That is incredibly kind of you to offer them to me first. I would gladly take them off your hands at your earliest convenience. I saw you temporarily closed the shop for renovations, so just let me know when you're over there again and I can floo by and pick them up. Thank you so very much!Sincerely,Hermione Granger

Draco scrunched his face up when he opened Grangers letter. The paper felt so thin and flimsy, and it had odd lines all over it. Could muggles really not write properly without them? The writing was also odd. She definitely did not use a quill as the ink markings looked too smoothly written. Every stroke of every letter was identical to the next.

He shook his head at his over examination of this stationery, and focused more on what was written. He tapped his index finger to his chin. He knew he would be at the shop again later that day, but he already brought several of the books back home to the Manor. He eyed them on his desk and looked over to the window where his eagle owl was perched.

"Archimedes, would you mind flying over some books to someone, or will you peck me to death if I attempt to attach them to you?" Draco asked while lazily reclining back in his chair. His owl turned his gaze on him, and hooted quietly. Draco smirked. "I promise to pick you up some of your favorite beetles tomorrow."

The owl hooted again, this time more cheerfully and swiftly flew over to Dracos desk top. Draco grabbed four of the books and wrapped them carefully in some packing parchment. He added some twine around it to secure the paper, and tied it into a tight knot. He carefully attached the package to his owl as well as his responding letter and sent the familiar off. He watched him fly effortlessly toward his destination.

It was getting to be late afternoon now, and Hermione was about to start on some dinner when she heard a loud tapping on her kitchen window. She let in the owl and saw that he held a large package. Quickly releasing it from him, she offered some treats which he gladly accepted before she allowed him to take off back out the window.

Hermione placed the package on the counter and retrieved the envelope stuck to the top. She couldn't help but smile as she read it.

Granger,I happened to have some of the books I mentioned next to me, and my owl so kindly obliged to deliver them, so as not to keep you waiting in anticipation for too long. He also accepted a bribe of beetles for his next mealtime, so there's that. (His name is Archimedes. Just, if you wanted to know...)

Hermione grinned. It was so strange that he would name his owl after one of the most brilliant scientific minds of the muggle world in early Greek history. She had wondered what name would be fitting enough for such a large and regal looking owl. She found she approved immensely of his choice.

I do still have a few books left here with me, however. I can bring them when we meet for our movie date.With Regards,Draco Malfoy

That silly grin was suddenly wiped clear off her face. 'Our movie date.'

"Oh, Merlin..." She grumbled quietly to herself. She wondered if he was taking the piss out of her, or if he really thought of this as a date. How could he though? In what universe would Draco Malfoy ever agree to go on a date with her? No, in what universe would she ever actually ask him on a real date?

She squeezed her eyes shut and let out a calming breath. Sometimes, when she thinks of him, she feels her heart rate rise, and she starts feeling a cold prickle across her skin. At times, it almost feels like the scar on her arm is searing again, and she can picture his face looking at her lying on the cold floor of his drawing room. The time it takes to seperate those memories from thoughts of Malfoy varies, but thankfully this time it only took her a couple minutes to calm down.

She felt her stomach grumble again, so she decided to wait on sending him a response and instead opted to return to making dinner and settle down for the evening with one of her new books.

Draco sat in his study tapping his quill to his cheek. His owl had returned without a response, which made him wonder if he said something he shouldn't. No, the letter was simple enough, she must be absorbed in one of the books already. He sighed and gathered himself up to head over to Diagon Alley and check on things at the shop.

It was an odd sight, the shelves at the book store were all almost completley bare now. The refurbishment team he hired had been busy shrinking down the literature and packing them away securely by book types and genres until after renovations were completed. Draco looked around and noted how much bigger the space looked now. He couldn't help but allow his mind to wander back over to a certain bushy haired witch. He was actually excited to work with her. School days had been one thing, and he had been a totally different kind of person, but this was a new adventure into uncharted waters and it made him nervous and eager.

He was roused out of his thoughts by the tinkle of the store bell as someone opened the shop door.

"I'm sorry, but we are clo-" he began but then rolled his eyes. "Hello, Theo."

"Hello! I was strolling along the alley and noticed your blinding head of hair bobbing along in here." Theo replied happily.

Draco nodded. "Yes, just checking on progress... but I'm actually glad you're here. I met with Granger recently, and I asked her to work here... She agreed."

Theo stared at his friend, keeping his expression blank. "Hmm... Granger, Granger... ah, yes. Swotty Gryffindor princess with a lions mane of her own. One third of the magical trio that saved the wizarding world from ourselves, if I remember correctly. Lovely."

Draco shook his head and snorted at him, "You are absolutely barmy sometimes. You know very well who I am talking about, yet you feign ignorance. You were probably the only Slytherin that was nice to her."

Theo shrugged. "I saw no reason to bully her. You know I liked to remain under the radar at school. Plus, she made a decent study buddy whenever we had big projects or papers due."

"I also knew how much you hated when I would act like a pompous git. I should've listened to you. Maybe my relationship with her would've been a lot better right now." Draco said, staring at a spot on the floor that had crumbs, probably from the workers lunch break earlier.

Theo raised a brow at him. "What relationship?" He had a coy smile on his lips. Draco shifted his weight from one leg to the other and cleared his throat.

"Friendship, maybe. I don't know... She asked me to accompany her to the muggle cinema in a few days. I may have mentioned that you and I have gone in the past..."

Theo let his expression show now, wide eyed and open mouthed in surprise.

"Like, a date?"

Draco shrugged.

"I... I don't know if she meant for it to seem like a date... just a friendly outing, I suppose." He felt uncomfortable under his friends scrutiny. It was like he could practically hear the cackle reverberating around Theo's brain.

"Oh this is quite the development, Draco. Are you interested in this little muggle born witch?"

Draco felt his throat dry instantly. He struggled to form words in response to his friends blunt question. Only Theo could ever manage to make Draco feel flustered like this. He was so blunt sometimes, Draco had a hard time forming sentences.

"I- I mean... Well, that is to say- oh, I certainly never thought of that before... A-and I don't now! I mean... I just thought she would be a proficient employee... it was only by chance that we came across each other, after all. I- I haven't spared a thought for her in over a year, since my trial!" He stuttered helplessly.

Theo let out a loud laugh over Draco's rambling. He slapped one large hand on his back.

"Well it sounds like you should try and sort through your thoughts and feelings before she starts her new job here." He managed to say through several more laughs. Draco ran his hand over his face and breathed deeply.

"Yes, I guess I should."

Draco was starting to feel overwhelmed with thoughts of Hermione Granger. Did he have an interest in her more than professional, or even a friendship of sorts? He hadn't thought so, but then why did his face get hot at the thought of her, or his heart flutter when she smiles?

Oh for the love of Godric...

He narrowed his eyes at his friend who burst into another fit of laughter upon noticing him deep in thought over what he said. This was going to be interesting. His 'date' with Granger would arrive soon, and now he had no idea how he should behave, or even what she was expecting.

End Chapter 10