Chapter 11

Hermione was rushing around her flat, trying not to be late for her dinner with Raul. He wanted to treat her to a nice evening since she was to start her new job the next day. It was hard to leave the library, but she knew avoiding the magical world wasn't really making her happy anymore. This was a good change, and she was happy to celebrate.

A light knocking was coming from the front room.

"Hermioneeee, let's go! I'm sure you're being frantic for no reason in there!" Raul called through the door.

Hermione glanced one last time at herself in the mirror. She had on a sleek, high-waisted burgundy pencil skirt and a loosely fitted white button up tucked into it with some simple nude heels. She opted to tie her hair up in a messy bun, with loose curls framing her face.

"Coming, you git!" She called, with a small smile on her face. She knew he was smiling, too.

She opened the door and warmly greeted her friend in a tight hug.

"Well, well, I feel so special! You got all dressed up for me?" He smirked playfully, looking her up and down. She blushed and smoothed out some imaginary wrinkles from her skirt.

"I figured you would never let me get away with jeans and a shirt." She replied with a shrug.

"Oh, absolutely not! I would not be caught DEAD with you." He retorted.

Hermione rolled her eyes and looked at Raul a bit more closely. He looked quite handsome with his checkered button up with sleeves folded to his elbows, a gray vest, and some navy slacks with black shoes. She nodded her approval.

"You clean up nicely, my dear."

Now Raul had to roll his eyes, but didn't miss the chance to puff himself up and take the compliment anyway.

She took his arm happily and they headed out to their favorite little Italian spot a couple blocks from her flat. After settling into a table and ordering wine and some delicious mushroom risottos, they quickly dove into various conversations about work, life, friends, family, trends, and holidays.

Hermione always enjoyed spending time with Raul. It was so refreshing to have a muggle friend that knew all about her past, but didn't bring it up constantly. He was her oasis within a bitter world of pain from her past. He was always there to make her laugh when she was feeling her lowest.

She listened to him talk about how his enrollment into a university for fashion design was a huge deal for him, and even though his family thinks it will fail or that he doesn't have what it takes to even work in the industry, he remains persistent and determined to accomplish his goals. She offered bits of advice where he might need it, but mostly took on the role of his biggest cheerleader, so to speak. Her pride in him couldn't be described in words, because he was just that talented of a person.

"Okay, as much as I enjoy talking about me and myself all evening, I wanna hear about you, and shall we say, a certain blond babe that's come back into your life." Raul said, wiggling his eyebrows at her. Hermione almost choked on her bite of risotto at the sudden change of topic. She chewed slowly, used the corner of her napkin to wipe her mouth, and grabbed her glass of wine, leaning back with it in her seat.

"There's not much to tell, Raul..." she said slowly. He scoffed at her.

"Oh please, you know I know that you know you're absolutely intrigued by him! Have you spoken to him recently?" He asked, eagerly sitting forward in his seat. She sighed.

"He wrote to me a couple times, and sent over some old books from the shop."

Raul seemed to explode with glee at this simple act, his smile growing wide and his eyes becoming the size of saucers. He even clapped quietly in quick succession. Hermione snorted behind her wine glass at his antics.

"Honestly, Raul..."

"Hermione, do not tell me that did not make your insides bubble! That's adorable! He could have waited, but he wrote to you during his personal time, and gave you gifts!" He was nearly bouncing in his seat now, not caring at the scolding looks being thrown his way by the other guests of the restaurant.

The waiter came to collect their empty dishes, and asked if they'd like dessert, to which they each politely declined.

"I just, I don't know. I think he might be trying extra hard to show me the good side of Draco Malfoy. All I have ever seen was the bully, and the coward. I think he feels like he has something to prove." She shrugged, taking another long sip of her wine.

"Maybe, but I don't think so, toots! I haven't even met the guy and I feel like I know his game already. He fancies you." He insisted.

She shook her head. "That's not how Malfoys do things, Raul."

He raised his brow at her. "Oh really? You told me he is from a long lineage of rich, aristocratic, and snobbish people. That they value tradition." He paused, she nodded. "You also told me that he defected from a lot of what his family was pushing onto him, and that's why he was found innocent of most of his charges." She nodded again trying to understand where he was going with this line of thought. "Well, my dearest witch, it seems to me that when you two happened upon each other, he saw you in a new light. He still clings to many traditions, such as courting you properly, but also is no longer inhibited with ideas that you're less than him. You're an entirely new type of option for this man, and he's ready and willing." He finished, with a look of triumph across his face.

Hermione was gaping at him now. The more he spoke, the more it seemed unbelievable, but also made sense. She was so unprepared for any of this as a possibility that she threw back her wine in a final large gulp and shook her head. She hummed quietly her disapproval, and looked back at her friend. He was smiling at her still, but more gently this time.

"Hermione, just give the guy a shot, hmm? Try to be open minded, let him take the lead and maybe something can come of all this, beyond a work relationship." He pat her hand softly, and grabbed the bill to pay.

Hermione was watching blankly as he spoke with the waiter. She thought about how tomorrow would go. Her first day working with Malfoy was going to be difficult enough without all these new notions floating around her head, and then afterward, they were supposed to go to the cinema. She wondered briefly if she should cancel, but she also didn't want to upset him. What if he was really looking forward to the outing? He seemed to really enjoy this pass time, from how he looked when he mentioned it to her the first time. She shook her head. No, she asked him innocently enough to go as friends. This was her peace offering, and she would follow through.

"Ready?" Rauls voice cut through her musings. She nodded and they left. After he escorted her back, she showered, dressed in something cozy and put a pot of tea on. When she was about to sit down at the counter, she heard a tap. She looked to her window where she could see the large eagle owl waiting.

"Hello, Archimedes. What have you got for me now?" She asked as he flew in. There was a fairly large box attached to the poor owl, which she quickly worked to relieve him of. He hooted gratefully, and accepted her offering of a snack.

Hermione placed the package on the dining table and pulled the rolled up bit of parchment off the top.

Granger,

I hadn't heard back from you after sending the books, so I just wanted to see if every thing is okay, and send a little gift for tomorrow. I hope you like it, and I look forward to our first day working together.

Graciously Yours,

Draco Malfoy

She carefully opened the package and she almost felt her jaw hit the floor. Inside she pulled out the most beautiful set of witches robes. They were a stunning shade of emerald, with black and silver trim. She couldn't help but to laugh at how Slytherin they looked, and knew he was dying to see the Gryffindor Princess with them on. They were still incredible though.

Is this supposed to be my uniform!?

She wondered in shock. Of course, leave it to Malfoy to expect the book shop to become some fancy and frilly reflection of the Malfoy name. She'd go along with it for now, but she intended on requesting a meeting with him on future dress code.

"Your master is a right git, you know?" She said as she turned to the owl. He hooted in acknowledgement. She let out a sigh. "Hold on, let me quickly write a response for you to bring back."

She found a piece of paper and an envelope and jotted her thanks down, along with a short message.

Malfoy,

Honestly, this is quite an extravagant gift. I shouldn't be surprised though, I suppose. Thank you very much for this thoughtful, and very emerald green, offering, but there is no way I am wearing this to work. I'll save them for a special occasion... I look forward to working with you tomorrow, and many days to come. See you bright and early.

Sincerely,

Hermione Granger

She watched the owl fly off with her note. She was trying so hard to sort through her thoughts and feelings. She was happy and excited, but also extremely nervous and a bit afraid. Not only was she attempting to immerse herself back into her magical life, but she was also contending with her memories of Malfoy in comparison to what he was showing her now. She would be lying if she didn't think a couple times he may be trying to trick her, but her good nature and desire to trust so willingly made her doubt that. She could very well be setting herself up for disaster, especially if being in proximity to him continued to trigger her panic attacks. How would he react if she couldn't control one? She shuddered at the thought.

Bed. She thought to herself. She would take tomorrow on as it came.

End Chapter eleven.