It's Sunday! I almost forgot! It's been a busy week. Losing steam with this story- I'm almost caught up to my prewritten chapters. Reviews give me motivation and let me know I'm on the right track, so reviews are certainly appreciated :) Let me know what you guys think! Much love to my fantastic beta, tectonictigress, who works with my ridiculous abundance of commas, and gives me wonderful suggestions 3
Disclaimer: I don't own anything, but you know that.
Ch. 14- On Birthdays
Draco couldn't have been any more thrilled that September 19th fell on a Saturday. He'd had the brilliant idea, the Wednesday after their first date, to secretly throw Hermione a gathering at the Hogs Head, enlisting Ginny's help to ensure that everyone she loved would be present. He'd gone over and over preparations in secret, making sure that the little brunette didn't get wind of anything he was doing. In truth, it wasn't that difficult, as Professor Flitwick had assigned a three foot long parchment for Magical Theory. Though it wasn't due for two weeks, she had immediately let it consume her focus, writing and rewriting it all week. He was a bit sad that he had hardly seen her, and when he had it was only during prefect meetings or when they revised together, but he knew that school would always be immensely important to his witch and he felt he ought to get used to that.
On the Saturday in question, Draco quietly excused himself from the quidditch practice Hermione assumed he was attending and trod down to Hogsmeade. He was wearing his quidditch kit so he didn't arouse Hermione's suspicions, as she would likely be awake and in their common room by the time he was back to the castle. The last two weeks she had made a lovely show of parading around their common room in her lacy, little pyjamas as she read and tidied up, and he hoped today would be no exception. After going over the plans with Aberforth for (what the man assured the younger wizard was) the hundredth time, Draco made a few quick stops. He still wasn't all that welcome in Hogsmeade, but unlike the open hatred and ridicule he typically endured in Diagon Alley, he was typically avoided outright in Hogsmeade, which he certainly preferred. Timing his excursion perfectly, he headed back to the castle just as the other eighth years were finishing their practice. He was feeling exceptionally proud of himself. Now, all he had to do was get Granger there.
Entering their common room, he only briefly searched for the object of his affection, knowing exactly where she'd be. He wasn't disappointed. Basking in the light pouring in, she sat in the window seat, nose in a book, wearing a deep maroon pyjama set trimmed in white. He leaned in the doorway and studied her for a moment, a smile on his face- she was so beautiful, and so completely oblivious to the world around her when she was reading. He could parade around starkers singing that song about the muggle queen and she wouldn't even turn her head. He glided, quickly and quietly, over to the window where she was sitting.
"Good morning, birthday girl!" he exclaimed, leaning over her shoulder to peek at what she was reading. She peered up at him with a big smile, her beautiful eyes sparkling with happiness. Happiness, he thought, she's happy to see me. This realisation made him smile wide as well, and they sat there for a moment, grinning stupidly at each other. Finally, Hermione broke the moment.
"What's that wonderful smell?" she asked.
"I went to Hogsmeade after practice and brought some things from Madam Puddifoot's. I'm not much of a chef, of course, but I figured you hadn't eaten yet as you usually stay up here on Saturday mornings," Draco explained, with a self-satisfied little smile, proud of himself for being so clever.
She gave him another wide smile, and a quick peck on the cheek, then snatched the bag from his hand. He grabbed some plates, silently thanking Merlin that he had the foresight to shrink his other parcels down and stuff them in his pocket, as she clearly had no qualms about taking things out of his hands. They sorted out the various still-warm cakes and pastries Draco had brought back- "Honestly, Draco, who did you think was going to eat all of this? There's two of us!"- and Draco rifled through the refrigerator looking for juice, while Hermione made them both some tea. Then, the two settled down at their little table.
When they were finished eating the majority of what Draco had brought back- "See? I told you, Granger. I'm always right."- he cleared the table while she picked her book back up, sitting in afternoon light of the window.
"So, Granger," Draco started, trying his best to come off as casual, "I was hoping you might let me take you out for a birthday dinner? Tonight?"
"You've just given me a birthday breakfast, Draco! You can't just hog the birthday girl all day," she told him, smirking.
"Bratty, little thing, aren't you?" he joked, pulling a kitchen chair over to where Hermione was sitting in the window and dropping himself on to it backwards, resting his arms on the high back. "It's been two weeks since we've gone out, Granger. You've been so preoccupied with that blasted Magical Theory essay, I've hardly seen you. Let me take you out tonight? You can make it up to your friends tomorrow." He gave her a roguish smile, flipping the fringe out of his eyes.
She rolled her eyes. "Oh, very well. Do I need to look elegant and refined? Have you found another excessively expensive muggle place? Perhaps you've found the first restaurant with four Michelin stars?"
He laughed. "I understand by that delightfully sarcastic tone of yours that you're being bossy and snarky, but you should know I haven't any idea what Michelin stars are. You," he continued, getting up from his chair and tucking it back into the table, "should wear whatever makes you happy, as I like seeing that lovely smile on your face. I'll pick you up at 6:30? We'll walk down to Hogsmeade and floo out of the Hogs Head, yeah?" She nodded, and he got up, strolling across their common space to his bedroom, slowly, as he was quite sure Hermione had her eyes on his bum.
Hermione had decided to forgo Ginny's help, for once, and got herself ready. She took a long bubble bath, making sure that Draco's door was locked, and used a face mask she had purchased that summer at a market in India- it smelled like flowers and made her skin feel silky and smooth. It was her birthday, and she was determined to pamper herself. She soaked in the gardenia scented bubbles, using her vanilla and pear shampoo and soap, feeling a bit like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, sans the Prince song.
Getting out of the bath, she wrapped a fluffy, white towel around herself, and headed for her bedroom. She lotioned herself, and painted her nails in a bright purple color she was rather sure she had borrowed from Luna, before spelling her hair dry and putting a bit of Ginny's potion in it to tame her bushy mess into springy curls. She stood, still wrapped in her towel, in front of her wardrobe for a long time, trying to decide what to wear. Draco had told her to wear what made her happy, which hadn't indicated his plans for the evening at all. She could hardly wear a sporty jumper if they were going somewhere like La Gavroche, but she didn't want to look overdressed and silly, either.
In the end, she settled on a nice blue sundress and simple, open-toed flats. The dress came to just above her knee and had a scoop neckline, showing a bit of cleavage and making her feel flirty and feminine, but still appropriate. She'd opted to leave her hair down, trying not to fuss with it too much as it really had a mind of its own. She heard Draco's knock on her door, just as she was slipping simple, gold hoops in her ears.
Draco always looked quite nice, but in muggle clothes he made her swoon. The dark denims she found him in were just as tantalizing, in her opinion, as the suits he was so fond of. He was wearing a simple button down shirt in a lovely shade of emerald that made his hair look icy and his silver eyes shine.
"You look lovely, birthday girl," he said with a smile, leaning down to kiss her cheek.
"This is all right?" she asked, gesturing to her outfit.
"I mean," he started, bringing his fingers to his chin, "I can always do with a bit less clothing from you, of course, but as we're going out in public, I think this will do nicely." He gave her a wink and a charming smile, offering her his arm.
They walked down to Hogsmeade, chatting about their most recent alchemy lesson. The subject had quickly become a favorite for both of them, combining elements of potions, transfiguration, charms, and even a bit of runes. They were reading a book that was rumored to have been written by Mary the Jewess, and both students found it wildly fascinating. They were so caught up in conversation that when they reached the door to the Hogs Head, Draco had almost forgotten what was on the other side. He caught himself and opened the door, ushering Hermione to go in front of him.
"Surprise!" she heard from a shockingly large crowd. Everywhere she looked were faces she loved: old D.A. members, people from the Order, fellow students, and professors. She was so taken aback by the outpouring of love, she couldn't even register what was happening as Neville pulled her into the room, and George thrust a drink in her hand. Draco watched on by the door, smiling to himself at the happy tears he could see collecting in her eyes.
Hermione was the woman of the hour- it seemed that everyone wanted a bit of her time. McGonagall had given special permission to a few seventh year students to join them past curfew, and all of the eighth years were there, including the Slytherins. She watched as Ron snuck off with Luna when they thought no one was looking, and openly cried when Harry gave a toast calling her his sister. She wasn't sure she'd ever been hugged so much in her life. She spied Aberforth chatting up the headmistress, who was blushing, to Hermione's shock. Also, to her surprise, Oliver Wood had asked if she'd like to go out with him, but when she explained that she was sort of seeing someone, he smiled and quickly set his sights on Cho, newly hired seeker for the Falmouth Falcons.
Draco, for his part, left Hermione to her admirers. He chatted with Blaise and Ginny, had one too many drinks with George, and took Teddy off of Andromeda's hands for the better part of the night. He'd kept an eye on his little witch, and she seemed to be happy- the happiest he had ever seen her. She joked with Neville, and chatted happily with Angelina Johnson and Mrs. Weasley. He'd gotten a bit tense when he overheard Oliver Wood asking her to dinner, but when she told the older wizard she'd been seeing someone, his heart soared.
"You did well, mate," Blaise said, coming to stand beside Draco, who was leaning against the bar nursing a gillywater.
Draco gave his friend a nod, still looking in Hermione's direction. "She seems happy, doesn't she?"
"She does," Blaise agreed, watching the delight painted across the face of his oldest friend.
"Are you happy?" Ginny asked, pressing a glass of pumpkin juice into Hermione's hand.
The brunette nodded emphatically. "It's been awhile since I've been this happy, Gin," she explained, taking a drink from the glass. "I do have to ask, though," she said, pulling Ginny down into a booth beside her, "why the Hogs Head? I mean, I'm certainly not upset by it, but isn't the Three Broomsticks a bit larger?"
Ginny leaned in to speak in a softer tone of voice. "Draco planned all this, and I don't think he's quite on good terms with Rosmerta yet."
Hermione's eyes doubled in size. "Draco planned this?"
Ginny nodded. "Every last detail. Asked for my help in getting people here, of course, from the D.A. and the Order… but he did everything." At Hermione's shocked expression, Ginny continued, "He's got it bad for you, 'Mione. I know what I said before, but… don't make him wait forever."
Hermione looked over to where Draco was leaning against the bar, talking with Blaise. She'd noticed him all night, casually keeping an eye on her wherever she was. They had made eye contact once or twice, and he'd wink at her, but otherwise he'd given her space to mingle with everyone else. I can't believe he put all of this together. She watched as he threw his head back, laughing heartily at something Aberforth said. Neville and Harry had joined them, and the boys all seemed to be huddled together, discussing something intently. She took a minute to admire him- his strong jawline, beautiful eyes, and broad shoulders. No one would ever have thought him capable of being so selfless, she thought with a small smile. He looked over then, and they met eyes. He gave her his standard wink, and she wiggled her fingers at him in a small 'hello' that made him smile, before he turned back to the group of boys who appeared to be caught up in a drinking contest.
"So," Hermione started, as Draco walked her back up to the castle. It was almost midnight, and everything was dark and peaceful. "A little bird told me you organized that whole thing?"
He shrugged. "It's nothing," he told her with a small smile.
She smiled back and grabbed his hand in hers, telling him, "Well, it was quite the second date. I don't know how you'll ever top it, actually."
He laughed. "The night isn't quite finished. I still need to give you your birthday present."
"Draco," she admonished, "that party was more than enough. Really, I can't accept anything."
He rolled his eyes. "Granger, you're being annoying. You will accept my gift because it's your birthday and that's polite."
She laughed. "Ever the gentleman," she said, swinging their joined hands back and forth.
"I heard you tell Wood you're seeing someone," he said, voice much softer than it had been before.
She stopped, turning to look up at him. "Yes, well… I am, aren't I? Are you going around planning surprise parties for other girls?"
He shook his head with a smile. "Does that mean you'll be mine?" he asked, still in that quiet, hopeful tone.
She studied him for a minute, looking up into those beautiful silver eyes that seemed to glow in the darkness all around them. She sighed, knowing her next words would cloud those stunning eyes with hurt. "Draco… it's not even been a month since I've been back. I think… we should still wait before putting any labels on… whatever this is."
He gave her a long, hard look, then nodded. With a long, drawn-out sigh he began to talk again. "As I've said from the beginning, Granger, it's whatever you want."
"Please don't be cross, Draco," she pleaded, pulling him again by their joined hands, making him stand beside her.
He gave her a small smile. "I'm not cross. Disappointed, perhaps, but… you're right. It's not been that long. And you're certainly worth the wait."
She gave him a brilliant smile and continued their walk back to the castle.
When they got back to their common room, Draco escorted Hermione to the sofa, instructing her to sit there while he went to retrieve her present. She rolled her eyes but did as he asked.
Expecting to see a small parcel in the shape of a book, as people always gave her books for her ever growing library, she was quite surprised to see that Draco brought her a rather large, heavy-looking box wrapped in yellow paper. He set it down in front of her, and looked at her with wide, excited eyes.
"Go on then, Granger! Open it," he instructed with an excited grin, sitting beside her and watching her reactions carefully. She slowly pulled the paper off the box, and he snorted at her. "Granger, there's no need to be so delicate," he told her. She continued to take her time opening the package, sticking her tongue out at him. When she opened the flaps of the box and peered inside, she had to admit she was a bit confused.
It was a beautiful, old typewriter- black and a bit rusted, with well-worn keys and the words "Smith Premier Typewriter" across the top in gold, block letters. She turned to Draco. "Draco, this typewriter is lovely, but I'm afraid I don't understand…"
"Do you remember that day at the Burrow, right when we first started getting to know each other, when we talked for hours about our favorite books while the others played Quidditch?" he asked, and she nodded. "You told me that your favorite book is The Wizard of Oz…" he continued, and again, she nodded. "This is L. Frank Baum's typewriter. It's what he used to write the original manuscript of The Wizard of Oz."
Hermione's hand flew up to cover her mouth, which had fallen open in shock. She was speechless. "Draco… this is…" she shook her head, not even capable of forming words. "This is incredible. I don't even know what to say."
"I know you've got a hard on for books, Granger… but I figure you receive quite a lot of those. I wanted to get you something else. Something a bit different," he told her, taking her hands in his, a wide smile across his face.
She turned back to her beautiful typewriter- the most thoughtful and sensational gift she'd ever received. "Draco, I can't accept this. I can't imagine what it cost you. It's worth a fortune… it belongs in a museum for Godric's sake!"
He rolled his eyes at her. "I thought you might say something like that. See, Granger, I enjoy spoiling you. I like giving you things that make your eyes light up… really, it's quite selfish on my part. I give you nice things because I like to see you happy. I know, however, that you don't always feel comfortable receiving nice things. So, this present has a built in compromise," he explained smugly, crossing his arms and settling back into the couch.
She cocked an eyebrow at him. "Oh? What's that supposed to mean, hmm?"
"You accept this typewriter because it's old and historical and swotty, and that makes you happy. You do that as a favor to me because as I've already explained, I'm a bit selfish and enjoy giving you expensive things you don't need. But because I knew that accepting this might make you a bit uncomfortable, I've thrown in a part two of your present-"
She interrupted. "Draco, the party was more than enough! I don't need a lovely typewriter or anything else for that-"
"Don't interrupt me, Granger," he said, holding up a hand to silence the retort he was sure was coming. "As I was saying, part two of your present. I've also made a rather sizable contribution to the war orphans fund in your name. So there, it all works out! You accept this present, which makes me very happy, and I give to the orphans, which you can't possibly feel guilty about."
She worried her bottom lip. "Draco… you're the most irksome man I've ever met," she told him with a small smile.
He laughed. "Irksome, am I?"
She nodded. "Frustrating and stubborn… and unbelievably thoughtful. Thank you. For everything. I can't begin to tell you what it all means to me." He lifted his left arm, and she moved into his embrace, snuggling into his side.
"You're welcome, you cheeky, little bint. I hope you've had a nice birthday," he said, resting his face on top of her head, breathing in her wonderful scent.
"The best I can remember in a long time. Thank you for my party- it was lovely to see everyone," she told him.
"Yes, it was. Of course, most of the guests gave me a bit of space, but I liked seeing Molly and Dromeda. And Teddy's getting so big!" Draco told her, rubbing small circles up and down her arm.
"And thank you for my lovely typewriter. I can't tell you what that means to me… I can't believe you remembered that The Wizard of Oz is my favorite!" she squealed, looking up to give him a delighted smile. He'd buy her thousands of old, used muggle appliances if she'd just keep looking at him like that.
"Don't act so surprised, Granger! I do listen, you know," he said in a mock huff, and she chuckled.
"And Draco, thank you for donating to the fund. As… well, as a sort of war orphan myself, I have a bit of a soft spot for those poor children," she confided, and he could hear the tears in her voice.
"I know, love. Maybe we can go and help out at the orphanage once they get everything up and running? Would you like to do that?" he asked, petting her curls.
She pulled away and smiled brightly at him through the tears that clouded her eyes. "Oh, yes! That's a wonderful idea!"
He smiled at her. "Right then. No more tears, now," he playfully admonished, wiping the tears out from under her eyes. "Is it perhaps time for us to be heading to bed?"
She looked up at him with those big, brown eyes of hers, and a bashful blush covered her cheeks. "Could… would you… well, could we maybe sit here for just a bit longer? This is nice. I like sitting here. With you."
His smile lit up his face as he opened his arms again, welcoming her back to his warmth. "Of course, birthday girl. Whatever you want."
Isn't Draco a cutie?! Love him :) Let me know what you think of his gift! If I get three reviews, I'll post another (BIG) chapter early! Much love 3