Chapter 13
They landed in an alley nearby the cinema and would only have to walk a couple blocks. Hermione unconsciously dropped Malfoys hand and fidgeted with her purse. He was giving her an odd look, cleared his throat and gestured forward so they could begin walking.
"So, how did you like the first day open?" Hermione asked, as they reached the sidewalk and joined the mass of people walking along.
Draco couldn't help but grin. He felt extremely pleased with how the day went and was already looking forward to tomorrow. "Today was very exciting for me. I'm just glad there were no problems. I half expected a mob or something, ready to burn the place down." He laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand. Hermione looked at him sideways and frowned.
"I know you're trying to sound playful, Malfoy, but is this a real concern of yours?"
He let out a breath and looked up towards the sky as they walked.
"Yeah.." he said wryly, "I'm actually so afraid there's someone out there that hates me enough to take this away."
Hermione placed her hand on his forearm, stopping his stride in the middle of the sidewalk, much to the passersby annoyance.
"I will help you, you know. If anything happens, I will be right there with you." She said quietly. Draco was not expecting her to say anything like that, and almost scoffed as if she were having him on, but he looked so deeply into her eyes he just knew she was being sincere. He nodded, and they continued their walk until they reached the cinema.
They walked up to the checkout and ticket booth, and Hermione requested two tickets for a film called Tarzan. He fussed at her briefly for paying, but she pointed out he lacked any muggle money anyway so what was the use in arguing? She could have sworn she heard him mumbling about exchanging some galleons next time he was at Gringotts, and she did her best to hide her giggle.
"Do you want to get something from the snackbar?" She asked, and he shook his head.
"I thought we could go get dinner afterward, if you wanted, that is..." he replied with a smile. She felt almost too stunned to speak, so she just nodded, and they headed into the theater and found seats right in the middle of the room.
Not many people were joining in this evening, which suited them both just fine. As they sat through the previews and opening credits, Hermione became acutely aware of his body heat, and his arm resting casually on his leg beside hers. She felt a faint prickle along her spine and wondered if she was going to have a panic attack right then and there. She fought to breath normally, and counted backwards from one hundred in her head. The film began, and she noticed Draco reacting to what they were seeing, quite intensely. He was almost on the edge of his seat at some points, to which she thought was kind of cute, seeing as it was a children's animated film. Anytime a musical number came on, he would tap his finger along to the tune on his thigh, and anytime something emotional came up, he would tense and watch the screen intently. Hermione felt herself watching him more than the actual film, but she couldn't help herself. In a way, his reactions helped her to relax in being here with him.
The film came to an end, and as the lights brightened and the credits rolled, the other viewers rose and left the theater. Hermione waited for Malfoy to say something, but he just sat there, staring at the names scrolling up the screen.
"Malfoy," she whispered, and touched the back of his hand, "did you enjoy the film?"
He looked down at her hand on his and moved his eyes to hers. He had the strangest look, and she was slightly concerned. The film ended on such a good note, so she wondered why he looked distressed and rigid. He turned his hand over to grasp hers, causing her to gasp slightly. He just nodded and got up, leading her out of the theater. Hermione was so confused, but allowed him to pull her along slowly until they reached a vacant alley that they could apparate.
"Still up for that dinner?" He asked softly. His change in demeanor was a bit off putting.
"Malfoy, what's the matter? I thought you enjoyed the cinema."
"Let's go eat, and we can talk, yeah?"
Hermione watched him for a moment, and he gave her a small smile and squeezed her hand gently. She nodded and he apparated them away to a restaurant somewhere in wizarding England.
It was a lovely little spot, hidden by ivy vines and beautiful florals. It was as magical looking as a place could be in all honesty. There were twinkling lights all around it, without a clear source, and a soft thrumming of magic vibrated all through the cobbled ground and walls. He led her into the building, and was greeted warmly by the hostess. She led them over to a table outside in a garden area. It was just as magical, and twinkled brilliantly around them. A small creek could be seen further in and lost behind the most enchanting willow she had ever seen.
"Malfoy, this is..." She was absolutely lost for words. This place was absolutely amazing.
"I'd hoped you would like it. I come here when I need some peace in my soul." He replied quietly. She looked up at him, and the worry returned to her face. Who knew Malfoy would strum these feelings up within her?
"Are you going to tell me what's wrong now?" She asked after they both gave their orders to the waitor. He inhaled and exhaled slowly.
"Granger, I enjoyed the film, it was really wonderful. It just... It just made me think about certain things in my own life that have bothered me for awhile."
Hermione was listening quietly, waiting for him to continue. She got the impression there was something specific he needed to say to her, but was having a hard time finding the right words.
"I grew up being told how much better I was just because of my blood line. My wealth, my status in wizarding society was preset. I was taught that appearances were everything, and following ones heart would be a weakness."
Hermione nodded, wanting him to continue before she said anything. He reached across the table and extended his hand to her. She hesitantly placed her hand in his.
"While watching that film, I couldn't help but to think about how they came from two completely different lives, backgrounds, upbringings.. but at the core, they were the same. They had a need for knowledge, a curiosity for this different version of life. They accepted each other..."
He was looking at her with a forlorn expression now, and Hermione felt her whole body tense, anticipating where this conversation was going.
"Granger, I... I just want you to know I didn't always hate you. Once I started thinking for myself, and realizing the world was not all black and white, I started to understand why you and Potter and even Weasley fought as hard as you did and especially, why you did. By then though..." he stopped abruptly as though he was choking on his words. This sudden emotionally charged side of Malfoy took her completely by surprise, and she was unsure what to say now. She felt his thumb moving across the back of her hand, and he was avoiding her eyes.
"Malfoy, I know you were just caught up in the mess like we all were. I know you could have been killed for disobeying Voldemorts orders, or if another Death Eater noticed any signs of weakness from you. I know some people say that's no excuse, that you made your choice... but I know it wasn't easy being 16 and 17 with the lives of your parents on your shoulders. I know you did what you could, with him in your home, you did what you had to in order to keep yourself and your parents alive. Please, Malfoy... Draco, don't blame yourself a moment longer for the life you were dealt. Just make up for it now, and everyday to come."
His head snapped up at his name on her lips and she could see the struggle behind his eyes over her words. There was a lot of things she wanted to say, but right now all she cared about was helping this man forgive himself. Dwelling on these things was enough to make a person lose their mind, and having him understand he had a special kind of strength in him was more important than any nerves she was experiencing.
At that moment, their food was brought out and their hands seperated. The silence following Hermione's little speech seemed to stretch on for ages, and she fiddled with her fork, twirling her pasta over it without actually taking a bite.
"H-Hermione..."
She looked at him, equally stunned as he had been at the use of her given name.
"I don't know what this is.. I wasn't expecting to feel this way, but I hope that whatever it is, you won't push me away..." he said, almost a whisper. Hermione felt the heat rise in her chest and a flutter in her stomach. She was just as confused as he was, apperantly.
"Let's just take each day as it comes and figure out this odd... friendship we seem to be developing. Okay?" She offered with a smile. He nodded and smiled back, finally lifting his fork and taking a bite.
They continued their meal, chatting lightly about how their first day in the shop was. Hermione told him about some new books she thought would be great for their magical herbs and antitode section, and Draco told her all about his ideas of doing a fundraiser for new students that couldn't afford some of the things on their Hogwarts supplies list for start of term. The heaviness of the evening dissipated, and they just tried as best they could to enjoy each other's company.
"Thank you for the lovely meal, Draco." Hermione said as he escorted her home for the night.
"No problem. I had a good time. First time in quite awhile actually."
They smiled at each other as they reached the building of Hermiones flat.
"Well, I will see you tomorrow, than?" He said. She nodded, and waved goodbye to him. She made her way up the steps, and turned to look at him again. He smiled at her once more and turned on the spot, disappearing from sight.
Hermione felt her stomach do a flip, and anxiously rubbed her arm. Whatever was happening between her and Malfoy was scary, and surprising, and exciting, and probably forbidden, but she didn't care. She just wanted more days where she could learn something new about him and figure out who he really was underneath all the misconceptions she held of him from their tumultuous past.
End Ch 13