"Wake up!"
Hermione, still half-asleep, mumbled incoherently and rolled away.
"Ah ah ah," Draco scolded, pulling her back to face him and wrapping her up in his arms. "I said wake up."
"Why is it so important that I wake up right this minute?" she muttered, her eyes still closed, snuggling into his warm chest.
"Because," Draco said, pausing for several seconds for what Hermione could only imagine was dramatic effect, "it's February 14th."
"And?" Hermione mumbled, still not opening her eyes, although she knew very well what day it was.
"Stop that nonsense, you know you can't fool me, you sleepy little know-it-all," Draco grinned. "It's Valentine's Day. And I organised something for you."
Hermione smirked into Draco's chest. "Hmm, did you?" she said blearily. "Oh, that's nice."
"Oh you want to play that game, huh?" he grinned. "Ok then, that's fine with me. I think I'll get up now."
And he rolled away, untangling his arms from Hermione as she tried to cling on to him, moaning when she was left with the cold duvet instead of his warm embrace. He laughed and went for a shower, knowing she would be up when he had finished.
"So where are we going?" she asked as soon as he stepped out of the bathroom. He smirked.
"Bit keen aren't you?" he asked with a wink. "What time is it? Two? Bloody hell, you sleep in late... Ok, I think we can go soon."
"I do not sleep in late!" she insisted, pulling on a scarf.
"Just because you don't have anything to worry about up here doesn't mean you can just get up whenever you want, Hermione."
"Oh will you shut up!" she laughed, throwing a cushion at him.
He took her hand an hour later and they left the apartment. Hermione couldn't believe what was going on with her life; first she'd died and come to some kind of heaven, and now here she was strolling hand-in-hand with Draco Malfoy like they'd never once hated one another. If only Harry or Ron could see this, she thought. They'd be fuming!
She gave a little giggle and shook her head at Draco's inquisitive glance. She was spending Valentine's Day with Draco Malfoy!
Since he'd kissed her four weeks before they had been inseparable. All that time apart had made them realise just how much they liked each other, and their relationship was going from strength to strength. Although Fred wasn't too pleased when he found out; he'd tried to attack Draco again and hadn't spoken to either of them since, which hurt Hermione a lot.
"So where are we going then?" she asked curiously, as they headed towards the shell of a building that took them down to earth.
"You'll see," he smiled. "Just hold onto my hand."
As she felt the travelling sensation fade, Hermione opened her eyes and found herself somewhere she'd been a million times but technically never at all; she was at Hogwarts, but she was on a little island in the middle of the lake.
"They're not bringing the students back until September, so it'll all be quiet," he said, smiling at her excited grin.
Draco took her hand, still not quite believing it was hers even after a month, and guided her towards a little clearing within a tiny copse of trees where a picnic blanket and a hamper lay. Hermione giggled excitedly.
"I've never had a proper Valentine's Day before," she admitted, a little embarrassed.
She blushed. Draco loved to see her blush. "Well there's a first time for everything," he said, squeezing her hand. "And aren't you just delighted that your first Valentine's is with me, Draco Malfoy, extremely attractive Slytherin?"
Hermione didn't know how Draco could always make her laugh deeply, but he did. They weren't nervous giggles, but full-on throaty laughs that she was sure couldn't be very attractive, but he didn't seem to mind. In fact, he seemed to like making her laugh as much as he could.
"Extremely delighted, Draco," she said sarcastically, rolling her eyes playfully.
They sat together on the rug and Draco opened the hamper. Truth be told, Hermione was starving, and she was glad Draco had brought all this food down for them to share, as well as a bottle of champagne. She wasn't sure how much he knew about romancing but he seemed to be doing pretty well so far - she imagined he'd done it before, and of course, he was raised as a gentleman.
"Can you imagine if we'd done this three years ago?" Hermione said a couple of hours later with a wry smile, popping a strawberry into her mouth. She was laid on her back, staring up at the darkening sky.
"I'd have probably been murdered," Draco said, and Hermione turned her head sharply to look at him, alarmed.
"I was joking, Hermione! Just kidding," he clarified, looking down at her nervously as she turned her head away.
"Really funny, Draco," she muttered.
"Oh come on," he said, comfortingly. "That's all over now. It's all over. The Dark Lord is gone, and all the Death Eaters have been killed or thrown into Azkaban."
"I know it's over, Draco, I'm not an idiot," she snapped, embarrassed that she'd started an argument and he was talking to her like a child, but her stubbornness wouldn't let her go.
Draco decided to try and put his aside. "Hermione Granger," he warned. "If you don't stop being a grump, I'll have to tickle you."
"Oh don't you dare!" she said suddenly, jumping up and backing away. "I am not being tickled!"
"Got you up and out of your mood though, didn't it?" Draco said, flashing a dazzling grin. Hermione frowned and crossed her arms again.
"Oh come on," he said again,getting up and wrapping his arms around her waist. "Stop it, or I'll have to kiss you."
Hermione's heart fluttered. Well, if that was the threat...
"Bugger off," she muttered, trying to hide her smile, although she knew Draco would be able to tell.
"Right, that's it!" he declared dramatically, pulling her closer and lifting her head to meet his. She melted. He was kissing her softly but harshly at the same time, somehow, and she moaned into his mouth.
"Well someone's enjoying that, aren't they?" he grinned against her lips, and she let out a slightly flustered breath.
"Maybe I should be grumpy more often," she whispered, making Draco's eyes widen slightly before he patted her behind and winked before breaking away.
"You definitely should," he said, gesturing for her to follow him. She frowned, taking the same route as he had moments before and wondering what he was doing. It was getting very dark now, considering it was still only early February and they had been laying there hours. She pulled her jacket tighter around her against the chilly night air, and then gasped.
There, moored up on the shore of the little island, was a boat. It was small, but had room enough to fit the two of them laying down, and all around the bow there were flickering candles attached magically, giving a golden glow.
"I had a little word with Nick, and he got Hagrid to sort this out for us," Draco said with a smile, unsure of her reaction.
"It's - it's amazing," she breathed. "Thank you."
She threw her arms around his neck and caught his scent again. It was intoxicating.
He helped her into the boat and she found several thick thermal blankets at the bottom, one of which they laid on and a few more that they covered themselves with, protecting them from the cold air.
When the boat was floating serenely in the middle of the lake, Hermione turned in Draco's arms to gaze into his silvery eyes. He looked back into hers questioningly.
"This has been the best Valentine's Day ever," she smiled.
"Well that's what I was going for," he winked, stroking the hair around her face affectionately. She closed her eyes at his touch, peaceful for the first time in a long while.
"Happy?" he asked.
"Very," she replied, opening her eyes to stare at the glittering stars above her. Draco squeezed her tighter.
On their return home, Hermione bypassed her own apartment and followed Draco into his, just as she had done the night before. She liked sleeping in the same bed as him. It gave her comfort, and she knew for certain she would have no nightmares. Even if she did, he would be there to comfort her.
As they walked in, Draco noticed an envelope on the floor that had clearly been pushed under the door. He frowned and picked it up, tearing it open quickly and scanning it. His heart sank a little. He had known this would come one day soon.
"What's that?" Hermione said suspiciously.
"Nothing important," he said, tucking it into his inside pocket.
"Really," said Hermione, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, really," replied Draco.
"You've had those before. I saw you with one weeks ago."
"Hermione, I'm allowed to get mail. Now come on," he said with a grin, picking her up suddenly and throwing her onto the bed. She giggled, swatting his tickling hands away, and forgetting all about the letter.
