Author's Note: Forgive me if these chapters feel like fillers. They're necessary for the big Wedding chapter. And I've been giving a few hints as to my surprise so maybe you found them?
"Wait, they don't love you like I love you"
Yeah Yeah Yeahs- Maps
I received two owls the next day. One from Ron and one from Ginny. Ron, almost surprisingly, wrote to ask if I had a date to the wedding. I responded saying that I did without saying that it was Draco who would be accompanying me. Ron was my friend but we would never be romantically involved again. I didn't regret being with Ron but I would definitely regret leaving Draco and ruining what we had.
Ginny of course had other plans in her letter. She knew about Draco, as disturbed by it as she might have been. She told me to be ready for questions if I brought him. Even if she accepted it, that didn't mean everyone else would. Knowing Luna and Neville, I doubted they would mind. The rest of my friends would have different opinions. Though...Harry and Draco did shake hands at the cafe. Maybe it wouldn't be as bad as I expected.
When Draco saw the owl from Ron, he had a strong reaction. One I wasn't expecting. He took it from me, without asking of course, and immediately said, "Such a twat. Like he's been around you so much the past few months."
"He's my friend. He has a right to owl me, Draco."
"He shouldn't be allowed to ask you to be his date. Why'd he ask through an owl anyway? Didn't have the balls to come to your door and ask?"
Draco was annoying me, being his old classic Malfoy. Ron wasn't any of his concern. "What would you have done, hm? If he showed up you would end up hiding in the kitchen again and waiting till he left."
"Well you wouldn't let me punch him so-"
"Draco!"
"What? It's true," he defended. I sighed and walked away from him. I went to the kitchen and poured myself a glass of water, downing it quickly. Draco came in a moment later and put his hands on the side of my face.
"I'm sorry," he said simply. He looked deep into my eyes, almost forcing me to forgive him instantly.
Needless to say I let his words go. I hated just dropping it because I knew it would come up later, but I wasn't about to ruin anything a few days before the wedding.
I picked out my dress the same day. I decided to go shopping in the early afternoon for the dress I'd be wearing. Draco was waiting on me to pick out the dress as he wanted to 'match'. "My mother would kill me if I brought a girl anywhere and clashed my clothes with hers," he said. I laughed at his pureblood ideals but decided I liked his mother's opinions. If she raised such a beautiful man, she surely was amazing. I owled Ginny to meet me at Diagon Alley and we met around twelve.
"Hermione!" she yelled as we saw each other. She wrapped her arms around me and instantly dragged me into the closest store. "We have to make you the best looking woman at this wedding. With the exception of Luna of course, though I've seen her dress and damn is she fine! Neville is going to faint right on the spot, guaranteed," she rambled. I laughed and let her play dress up with me. I had missed spending so much time with her that it was wonderful being back with her.
"This one," she said. "This will make that sexy blond hard in an instant."
"Ginny!" I scolded. The dress was beautiful though...and Malfoy attracted to me wasn't a problem, right? No way!
I put the dress on and immediately fell in love. "Ginny this is perfect," I said. "You have such good taste, I always forget that."
We bought the dress as well as one for Ginny and then went to lunch together at a small diner that a boy from Ginny's year had opened up in the aftermath of the war. The boy was very sweet according to Ginny and it was the cutest diner, the perfect place to match such a boy. After we had our drinks Ginny asked the question I was waiting for the whole day.
"So are you two official?" she inquired.
I drank more of my tea and said, "No. We're not dating if that's what you mean."
"And why not?" Ginny sputtered. "You have one of the most attractive wizards in London living in your house and you two aren't dating?"
"It's complicated."
"Is it? Come on Mione there has to be a reason why you two haven't made it official. You care for him right?"
"Yes," I said.
"And he cares for you?" I blushed and Ginny said, "Obviously. So why not just say you're dating?"
I sighed. "We're not really 'title worthy'," I said. "It's just...complicated. Trust me Ginny if we ever name our relationship I'll let you know. For now just know that both of us care for one another and we want the best for each other. If that to you means anything then fantastic."
Ginny smiled wickedly at me. I knew the reason. She saw how deeply I cared for him. Enough that I wouldn't force a relationship onto him even when it was obvious how close we were. I wouldn't say how I really felt...because it was too soon. Honestly we had only been reintroduced for a few months. But was there some sort of time limit to life?
Ginny and I said our goodbyes after lunch and I apparated back home. Draco was at the Manor, apparently finishing things up. I missed him almost immediately. It was strange. I had lived alone for five years and now that I had Draco with me most of the time, being alone for even a while seemed strange.I loved being alone but I also loved being with Draco.
I put my dress away in my closet and changed out of my 'errand' clothes and into sweats. Draco arrived soon after, seeing me in my old clothes and messy bun. He smiled at me either way and I found that to be a source of comfort.
He held up a bag and said, " I bought a present. It's just a quirky desk lamp but I couldn't help myself. Figured Looney and Longbottom would find somewhere to put it."
I crossed my arms and said, "Not looney. Lovegood. But that is a perfect gift. I'm sure they'll love it."
"Good," he said with a smile. "Get a dress?" I nodded. "You going to show me or what?"
I loved his almost naughty sounding attitude. It was seemingly unlike him but I realized I had never truly seen him happy until recently. It could all be normal and I would never have known.
"Just wear a black suit, Malfoy."
Later on, I sat on the living room chair, the one Draco had brought from home. I drank my tea in silence and enjoyed the evening. It was lovely to be at peace. I was warm from the crackling fire and blanket I had on top of my legs. The book I read added to my serenity. I had less worries then; I didn't think about the battle as much. Taking down the photos had made a huge impact on my life that I hadn't been expecting. Draco hadn't commented on it but I had seen him do a double take at the wall on his way to his room the night he returned.
Everything was fine until Draco was leaning against the wall with his hands in his pockets. Whenever he leaned I knew something was up, but Mr. Posture never seemed to notice.
"You know it's been bugging me," he said. Of course.
"What has?" I asked, too innocently.
He stood up straight and walked closer to me. "That you don't dance at weddings."
What else did I think he was going to say? "And? That's been bugging you?"
"Yes. We're dancing together at that wedding."
"I don't dance. You Slytherins and your dancing," I almost exclaimed. I found the entire thing hilarious though he seemed quite serious.
He smirked and took my book and tea, despite my angry remarks. He held out his hand and said, "Just dance with me." When I didn't stand he tore the blanket off of me and pulled me easily into his arms. I squealed but managed to stand. "Dance with me," he said again.
"I can't," I said softly, looking towards his shoes.
He placed a finger under my chin and brought me back to look into his achromatic eyes. "Won't bother me any," he replied with a small smirk. "Now, your right hand in my left. Left hand on my shoulder or neck," he instructed.
I did as he said, taking it as a lesson instead of a dreaded task. I smiled as his hand met my waist and he held tight, pulling me close. "You're allowed to get closer, Granger. I won't bite."
He held me close and I rested my head against his chest, finding him much taller than usual. Usually when we were this close I always ended up being on a counter or wearing heels. Now I was barefooted, dancing in my living room with no music, with none other than Draco Malfoy.
We swayed gently and I did my best not to step on Draco or be too choppy with my steps.
"See? You can dance," he said. I opened my eyes, not even realizing I had closed them, and turned my head to look at his elegant face. He was so defined, so structured even.
"Did your mother teach you to dance?" I asked after moments of us just staring into the pits of each other's eyes.
He smiled then and said, "No. Snape did." I laughed loudly into the empty room and felt Draco chuckle. I couldn't help but smile at the image of the greasy haired professor dancing with Malfoy. Granted, I couldn't tell if he was lying or not.
I set my head against his chest again and listened to his heart beating. The same blood, the same sound, the same feeling. Who would've known? He smelled entirely delicious too, his scent different from before though. I was tempted to ask if he had bought a new cologne but my thoughts were interrupted when he asked, "So will you dance with me at the wedding?"
I sighed but knew I would of course. If all I had to do was sway with this impossibly handsome man...who would say no? But I had conditions.
"One song, only slow dance."
"Three," he retorted.
"One," I said again, boldly looking at his comical smile.
"Three," he said, not backing down.
I made my eyes into slivers and said, "Two. But that's as high as I'll go."
He shrugged. "I'll take it." He leaned down and pecked me lightly on the lips, more of a chaste kiss but also a confirmation of what was to come on Saturday.
"But…" He groaned. I smiled and said, "we can't kiss out there. Ginny was already bugging me about it today when we went shopping and I'm sure we could both do without more questions."
He took his turn to sigh. "Fine. We'll just have to get it out of our systems before hand." And with that, he sealed the night with a kiss.
Author's Note: Come on, not one of you can say you wouldn't want to slow dance with Draco Malfoy! Let's be real here.
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PS: For the song choice I prefer the version by Keaton Henson but they didn't have it on Soundcloud where my playlist is so enjoy the Yeah Yeah Yeahs!
