Sweets, Treats and Candy Coated Chaos Chapter 12
A/N: Hello all my lovely readers! I do apologize for this chapter being so late. I didn't mean for it to take this long but I've been having a bad case of writer's block with all my stories. I'm not sure how great this chapter is. I kind of think it's not the best. But it was the best I could do at the time. If anyone has any ideas, suggestions or comments about this story or any other story I'm writing please feel free to drop me a pm or review and I'll be happy to listen. I just ask that you keep your comments as kind as possible. Thanks-MoonlitShadow
It was 4 a.m. and Hermione tossed yet again in her empty bed.
Her eyes blinked open slowly and she groaned in frustration at her inability to stay asleep.
It had been a rough night for the young witch as she had ended up tossing and turning until the wee hours of the morning.
Deciding that trying to force herself to go back to bed was useless, she yawned and ran a hand through her long messy hair before sitting up and letting her eyes adjust to the darkness of her room.
She looked at the clock and let out another groan knowing that it was too little too late for her to get any more sleep for the night.
She would usually be getting up to open the shop with George around 10 in the morning so it made no sense to try and go back to sleep now.
Pulling back the plush covers of her bed, she turned on the lights to her room before making her way out of her room and into the hall heading towards the bathroom.
When she turned on the bathroom light she almost screamed at the sight of herself in the mirror.
Her long brown hair was messy and tangled and her face was a bit shiny with oil and sweat.
Rolling her eyes, she knew that she had better start her morning routine now instead of later knowing that it would take quite a while for her to fix the damage that had been done to her appearance.
About an hour later, Hermione was in the process of applying the hair serum that she had concocted for her hair when a small hooting noise along with several knocks came from her window making her jump in surprise.
When she opened the window, she saw that Draco's owl was perched on her bedpost with a letter secured firmly in its beak.
Temporarily abandoning her struggles with her hair, she gave the bird a treat to which it hooted in thanks at her as she sat down to read the letter.
Dear Hermione,
I apologize if I am sending this a bit too early for your liking.
I tend to be an early riser and thought that you might be as well.
If not, then please feel free to send my owl back to me and I can instruct it to give this letter to you at a more appropriate time.
I wish to tell you in any event, good morning and that I hope you slept well.
I was thinking about the good day that we had yesterday at the shop and was wondering if you'd perhaps like to meet me for breakfast this morning before we all head to work.
If your answer is yes, please send your reply as soon as possible so I can make the necessary arrangements.
I look forward to seeing you little witch,
Your wizard,
Draco Malfoy
Hermione's heart fluttered with affection for her wizard as she quickly jotted down a response letting him know that she would love to meet him and handed the letter to his owl who happily took off towards the Malfoy manor.
She quickly made her way over to her wardrobe where she kept all of her outfits and began to put together a suitable outfit for breakfast with her wizard lover.
It took a total of an hour and a half for Hermione to successfully decide on an outfit and dress herself along with putting the finishing touches on her hair that was now thankfully as smooth as ever.
She took a look in the mirror and twirled around happily as she admired herself dressed in a purple floral romper set with matching purple heels.
Grabbing a small matching sweater from her closet, she made sure everything in her apartment was secure before she headed to the address in Diagon Alley that Draco had requested they meet at.
As soon as she had sent her response, he had wasted no time making sure she knew that she would be well taken care of for that morning.
It didn't take her long to apparate and find the small café that Draco had made reservations at.
She scanned the morning crowd of patrons before her face lit up in a bright smile when she spotted Draco waving at her from the corner of the room.
She quickly made her way over to him and he enveloped her in a tight hug nearly squeezing all the air out of her lungs before helping her into her seat.
"Good morning, little witch! It's so good to see you up so bright and early this morning.
I hope you don't mind but I already put in an order for both of us of my absolute favorite breakfast sampler that I often get here.
It's simply delicious and I do think you'll love it as much as I do."
He said happily as he took her hand from across the table and laced their fingers together making her blush brightly in the morning sun.
"No I don't mind at all. And it's good to see you as well, Draco. How was the rest of your evening last night?"
She inquired as she took a sip of her glass of orange juice that lay in front of her.
Draco's smile faltered for a fraction of a second but he quickly erased any signs of unhappiness knowing that he wouldn't let her find out about his unfortunate trip to the local pub.
"It was acceptable I suppose. Nothing too special happened. This morning is much more exciting with you sitting there so lovely across from me."
He said with a smile a saucy wink that he sent her way making his witch giggle with delight.
"Well now that I've buttered you up enough to get you all giddy and joyful, I wanted to ask a favor of you if you wouldn't mind."
He said as he leaned forward making Hermione wonder what he was going to ask of her.
"A favor? What type of favor?"
She asked intrigued by his curious behavior.
"My good friend Pansy is having a rather big birthday bash tomorrow evening and I was hoping that you would like to accompany me as my official date.
I would like to introduce you to my friends as my girlfriend for the first time and I was hoping you'd be alright with that."
He said carefully as Hermione blinked twice before looking at him with a concerned expression.
"Pansy Parkinson? Isn't she one of the Slytherin's that we went to school with that absolutely hated me?
I'm not sure if me coming with you to announce our new courtship is such a great idea, Draco."
Draco held up his hand and shook his head with a small smile.
"No, no Hermione you misunderstand me I think.
Pansy and my friends used to be very different as was I back when we were in school but I can assure you wholeheartedly that we're a much different bunch now and that everyone's very excited to see you again.
I might have told them already of our relationship.
I just wanted to officially clear it with you about telling everyone else who would be there."
Hermione rolled her eyes before nodding and shrugging.
If he said they had changed, she would believe him.
After all, they were all different after graduating she supposed.
If Draco's new found love for her was anything to go by she was sure that the other Slytherin's would most likely have a change of heart also.
"Alright, I'll go. Just please promise me if there's any signs of trouble while we're there that we'll leave immediately."
She said as she gave him a somewhat stern look.
Draco nodded in understanding and squeezed both her hands in his own lovingly.
"I would never let anything happen to you, Hermione. You know that don't you?"
His words made her pause midair as she was raising her glass once again to her lips.
Did she know that he wouldn't let anyone hurt her?
Could she trust him like that after so many years of torment by him and his friends?
It was then that she nodded and took another sip of her orange juice before giving him a reassuring smile.
Of course she did.
She could tell that he had grown up in leaps and bounds and she was hoping that the others that they had known during their eventful childhood together would also be the same way.
"Great! That's brilliant. I'm so pleased to hear you say that."
Draco stuttered out as he smiled happily at her.
His grey eyes were practically misting over at the thought of reintroducing Hermione to his friends as not just another classmate but his girlfriend.
Who ever thought that this would be the case?
Draco's heart felt like it couldn't swell any wider in happiness and hope and as their food arrived and they began a bit of small talk over this and that, he couldn't help but wonder what other good things were in store for him and his little sweet witch that had stolen his heart and soul forever.