A/N: I don't own Harry Potter

This is for the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Assignment #6 - Task #4 - Red brick dust mixed with dragons blood to prevent being crossed:Write about preventing something.

Word Count: 515

The door handle was a polished gold color. It had been shined recently, but Hermione could see a few smudged fingerprints on it. She grabbed the handle with her gloved hand and pulled the door open. The coffee shop around her buzzed with activity.

There was a couple sitting at the back table staring into each other's eyes. A man was reading a newspaper and stirring his cup wandlessly. A quick glance around didn't yield any results as to whom she was meeting. She had received the note in the post. She didn't recognize the handwriting. A small part of her was terrified this was some sort of prank, or even an attack. Even though the war had ended, she was still constantly looking over her shoulder.

Slowly, she took a seat at an empty table facing the door. This way she could watch everyone come and go. Maybe she could even see her date before they entered. She still had no clue who it could be. All the letter had said was they would be carrying a red rose. She smiled thinking about the romanticness of the gesture.

She could really use some romance after the whole relationship with Ron had fallen apart. Didn't she deserve to be swept off her feet? The bell above the door jingled. She looked up from her thoughts. No, it was a witch wearing a green dress and not carrying any flowers. She sighed.

Ten minutes. She had been waiting ten minutes. How long was one supposed to wait for a blind date? She didn't remember reading any rules concerning the matter in any of her books. She was sure Ginny's copy of Witch Weekly would probably have some advice. She laughed, the idea of taking advice from a witches' magazine like that.

"Hermione?" a voice asked, pulling her from her thoughts. She looked up and blinked in surprise. Draco was standing there holding a red rose. Hermione smiled.

"Draco? Really? Wow, I never would have thought you were the one who wrote me," she babbled, unable to keep from noticing just how much Draco had grown up. His shoulders were a bit broader, his hair longer, and she couldn't help but feel a bit of attraction.

"Um, right, so, want to get a cup of coffee or we could walk to that new ice cream place?" he asked.

"Ice cream sounds amazing," Hermione answered, allowing Draco to help her to her feet. She slid her hand into his as they walked. They had only gone a few feet when Draco stopped.

"Hermione, um, I have a confession. I, um, well, Ron was the one holding this rose," he said. Hermione looked at him.

"Wait, my blind date was my ex?"

"Apparently. I'm sorry. I know how you two broke up."

"Thank you. I really don't want to get back together with Ron. What did you do him?"

"I told him to get lost once it became clear why he was there. So, do you still want to get that ice cream with me?"

"I would love to!"