Chapter 35 - Getting Closer

p.s - Italics is for thoughts & non-italics is (within ' ') is for normal audible conversations.

'These are all the wands mam. 'nything else I can help you with...mam?'

'No, thank you very much though.' Hermione answered the guard examining the collection of wands in front of her.

The guard stayed put, forcing her to look up at him questioningly.

'You can go now, thank you' Draco told the guard as he walked in.

'Can't sire, gotta stay put with the wands. Orders from above, sire - 'Never let 'em outta sight!' Can't 'ave 'nother breakout can we.'

'I understand but we really can't have you listening in either. This is sensitive information.' Hermione reasoned.

'Fair 'nuff mam but orders are orders. Can't help you there.'

'Let's just talk later then, Hermione. Just finish the basic analysis first. I've got the wandmakers here. Best ones working for...Lucius' he spat out the name.

'No one was ever as good as Mr. Ollivander!' A voice from behind them piped in.

They turned to find a familiar face, with jet black eyes and green eyes, grinning back at them. He was flanked on one side with an older but recognizable man who Hermione hadn't seen in that day in the Shell cottage and Draco hadn't seen since he was rescued by Boy Wonder. Draco's special Hermione-is-here smile turned into the uggh-Boy-Wonder grimace.

'Harry!' Hermione squealed, 'What are you doing here?'

'Heard you needed an expert wandmaker so the best in the business had to be brought in, Mr Ollivander.'

'How are you, dear?' Mr Ollivander asked, eyes twinkling. He reminded of Dumbledore. After all, was quite the wizard with wands!

'I'm fine, sir. It's lovely to see you again! All well I hope?' she gushed

'As well as one can be at this age!'

'Oh bugger off!' Draco said under his breathe, annoyed, 'Potter, can we get this over with already.'

'Always a beacon of joy, this Malfoy.' Harry laughed and, from the corner of his eye, Draco noticed the old wandmaker stiffen at his name.

'Yes, we can always catch up later. Show me, dear' Mr Ollivander replied, less happy, extending his hand to Hermione. She took it and led him to the wand collection.

In his slow manner, the old man hobbled over to the wands as if possessed by their beauty. He brushed his hands against them slowly picking them up one by and caressing them. He spoke under his breathe as if soothing a sick patient, mumbling, now and then, the details of his analysis to the other wandmakers standing around him who then quickly scribbled the information down. They all stood around and watched Ollivander wield his magic. Occassionally, Draco would hear snippet of information and he wondered what the guard thought of all this. He wondered if he would later go and relay this incident, over a cup of tea, to his fellows. Then again, Potter was smarter than he gave him credit and would probably obliviate the guard right after. Draco's eyes then shifted Hermione's small form next to Potter's. She stood as mesmerized as the rest of them, her soft, pink lips puckered in; her head tilting; and her doe eyes following Ollivander's every move. Draco felt a slight tug on the strings of his heart which astounded him. He moved his gaze away just in time to see the old man finish.

'I'm done here, Harry'

'Thank you so much, Sir.' Harry replied gratefully extending his hand towards the old man for support. 'Should I drop you home now?'

'Yes, thank you Harry. Hermione, dear, stay in touch.'

'Of course sir. Thank you so much for your help. Harry, I'll see you soon.' she received a peck on a cheek from her best friend which further earned a slight look of distaste from Malfoy Jr.

'No worries.' Mr Ollivander gave Draco an imperceptible nod and doddered on. His fan following of other wandmakers followed him out hoping to get a word or two before the legend escaped. Only Hermione and Draco stayed behind...and of course the guard.

The room was round with brown grey walls, no windows and two exits- one which the troupe just used to leave and the other behind them that the guard was blocking. The room was dull, drab and slightly menacing but Draco couldn't understand why he still felt like staying.

'That was kind of easy.' Hermione said looking away from the door.

'Our work has just begun.'

'Hmm, you're right. Thank you for your cooperation. We're done.' she told the guard.

'Thank you mam, sire. Good day.'

Together, Hermione and Draco, exited the room.

They hadn't realized how dark it was in the room till the arrived in the more open areas with windows. It was bright and they had to squint part of the way till their eyes got accustomed to the light. Draco unthinkingly slipped his hand into Hermione's: it felt more natural that way. If he was stunned by his own boldness; it was nothing compared to shock he got when Hermione leaned into his touch and began chatting as if nothing significant had occurred. He, of course, didn't hear half of what she said, so distracted by the warmth and softness of the small hand in his. When later he felt aware of his inattentiveness, he knew it didn't matter because she only talked that much when she was thinking aloud; not looking for responses. He felt a flutter in his chest when he made this observation; he had started noticing little things about her.

Hermione didn't notice his hand in hers, or his gaze on her face till she absentmindedly tripped on her own feet. She stumbled only to find herself leaning into Draco's arm hold around her waist. She recognized his warmth there and then in her hands; almost choking on her own spit to find her hand in his. Her heart fluttered. He was looking at her.

'Are you okay?'

'Y..ye..yes' she blushed at his closeness which she hoped he took to be a result of her embarrassing almost-fall.

'Be careful.' He helped her steady herself; pulling out his hand from hers. She immediately missed it and then, blushed at this realization. Chastising herself for feeling like a school girl in the presence of a superstar she almost didn't notice him hold the door open for her. When she noticed, she quickly slid through. 'UGH! FOCUS HERMIONE! What is wrong with you?!'

They had arrived at the entrance of the Ministry at which point their inner voices had begun screaming like Harry's godfather's banshee mum.

'Let's get some lunch, eh?' Dracos asked. 'Let's go get some lunch, eh? What the bloody hell Draco?! How pathetically crude! Anyway, I hope she says yes; please say yes; please say yes; please say yes!'

Yes, I'd love to 'Yeah' she offered intelligently. 'YEAH? WHAT THE-! UGH HERMIONEEEE'

'Take a deep breathe. Ask her properly this time.''Right, fish and chips?' 'YOU BLUBBERING MORON! GOD DAMMIT!'

'Sure.' 'OMG I hope you rot in hell Hermione BLEEDING Granger'

They took their incoherent selves down for lunch at a shack in front of the Ministry.

More later *evil laugh* They are 'getting closer' in more ways than one ;)

Anyway, how's it going y'all?

xoxo

BattlerRune