Chapter 12
As Hermione did her make-up in the mirror on Friday evening, her heart began to race. Her hair was pinned up in curlers. She had carefully taken her time brushing out her wet hair and wrapping each section. After casting a drying spell, she kept checking each roll between steps in her make-up routine.
Glancing at the clock, she noted she had thirty minutes before Draco was supposed to meet her here. Harry, being out of town on a mission, was thankfully missing from this evening's interactions. She had all of Grimmauld Place to radiate in her anxiety before the date.
A date.
With Draco Malfoy.
Hermione stared at herself in the mirror.
What had she gotten herself into.
Giddy and nervous and worried.
She had been thinking about him all week since she left the park Monday afternoon. She went to yell at him and she left feeling exhilarated. Hermione knew logically she was still going to make him work to prove things, she just had to get her thoughts under control. Draco wanted to show her how he felt and she had decided she was going to let him.
She wanted someone brilliant and charming. Someone handsome and intelligent who made her think. Draco made her heart race like no one had… It was not like either of them were planning for forever. They just wanted to enjoy each other's company.
She knew everyone in her life would disapprove. Harry was friends with Draco, but she knew he would be extremely protective of her… and would be worried about what Lucius would say or do. Hermione had not known Draco to be serious with any Witch, so she doubted anything permanent would come of this.
Hermione shook the thoughts from her mind. She was getting ahead of herself. They had not even had a proper date. Nor, she had to remind herself, had they kissed. She enjoyed his company and she wanted to spend more time with him.
Why am I trying so hard to justify this to myself?
Finally happy with how the rollers felt, she pulled her hair down and began setting it. She had picked out a simple black dress, nothing fancy because she knew they would be in a pub. However, it was a nice dress because this was after all, Draco Malfoy.
Hermione was putting the touches on her outfit when she heard the floo sound and Draco call out to her.
"Coming!" She replied before grabbing her bag and making her way down the stairs.
When she found him, Draco was standing in the sitting room with his back to the door. The Witch smiled to herself, seeing him dressed in dark grey slacks and a simple black sweater she sure cost a month of her salary. He was nervously talking to himself under his breath, but Hermione could not understand exactly what he was saying.
"Uh, Hi," She said softly. They had not seen each other since Monday afternoon and she had been thinking about this moment since she left him.
Draco quickly spun around catching her eyes before they gave each other a small smile.
"You look stunning," Draco said, stepping forward and kissing her cheek. "For you." He said, offering her a small box that fit in the palm of his hand.
Hermione looked at him skeptically, but took the box in her hands. She was surprised by the heavy weight of the object. Half as a joke, she brought it to her ear and shook it, but there was no noise. Draco just smirked at her actions.
"Hmm… not any galleons," She joked to him, but began tearing at the paper.
Inside the box was a clear globe with a perfect white chrysanthemum flower suspended. Hermione laughed at herself, she should have known the flower game would continue.
"Chrysanthemum?" She glanced up at him.
"True and lasting friendship. Optimism. Rebirth. Loyalty. Just to name a few," Draco rattled off the meaning of the flower.
"Fitting," Hermione rolled the globe in her hands while she examined it. Lifting her gaze to his, she felt her face heat a little under his stare. "Thank you."
"My pleasure," Draco replied.
Hermione felt herself getting lost in Draco's eyes quickly. She really needed to watch herself. Clearing her throat, she sat the flower globe down and motioned to the floo.
"Shall we?"
"Actually, we will be aparating. Do you mind if we leave from the back garden?" Draco asked.
"Of course not," Hermione turned to walk to the back door. "Is there any chance of you telling me what is in store for tonight?"
"Dinner and a date," She heard him answer from behind her as she made her way through the house.
"Dinner and a date?" Hermione questioned, peeking back at him when she got to the door.
"You caught that, huh?" Draco said, amused.
Hermione was not sure if he was amused with her or himself. She walked out the door and down the steps before she turned to face him.
"Yes, I caught your comment," Hermione replied. "And honestly I don't appreciate you already breaking the ground rules."
Draco's eyebrows shot up, but he was amused by her comment.
"I would like you to know the only rule you set is that it needed to be simple and I quote, "Like The Leaky," end quote. Our date is simple and while it is not at The Leaky, dinner and our date, are at pubs."
Hermione raised an eyebrow back at him, "You keep saying 'Dinner AND a date' I would really like to understand what you mean."
Draco rolled his eyes at her and placed his hand out, palm up.
"I will show you," Draco said. "Trust me to show you a good time tonight and follow your rules."
Without responding Hermione put her hand in his and felt him lace their fingers together before she felt the pull of apparition.
The landed with a thump and she looked around the familiar place.
The stone ally was the last place she honestly expected to be.
"Why are we outside of the village pub my grandparents live by?" Hermione asked, slow and suspiciously.
This was the ally beside the pub she had grown up in… the one Draco ran into her and her grandparents.
"Because, we are having dinner here," Draco said, still holding her hand and squeezing it gently. "The date is afterwards, but if you do not want to go after dinner, you do not have to."
Hermione, still confused, nodded her head.
"No, this is fine," she agreed. "I was just slightly taken aback."
"Are you shocked because I followed the rules?" Draco said teasingly, finally pulling her out of the ally and into the street.
Hermione let out a small laugh.
"I am not sure if you have followed the rules yet."
As they walked around the corner, Draco muttered, "No trust for the Slytherin."
Hermione grinned at him before something came to her mind and she stopped dead in her tracks.
Draco, confused, looked back at her.
"Do you know that my grandparents could be in there, right?"
"Well," Draco said, drawing out the word and then taking a deep breath. "I am hoping they are, because I asked them to join us for dinner."
Hermione was stunned, her jaw dropped as she set there processing for a moment.
"You asked my grandparents to double date with us?"
Mumbling under his breath, Hermione thought she heard him cuss.
"Well, yes and no," He offered, looking a little worried. "They are having dinner with us, but our date after this is just us. If you still want to go and I haven't completely fucked this already."
Hermione set in silence trying to process.
"Are you mad?" Draco asked, almost timidly.
"Not at all," Hermoine said. "Just wondering why you did this?"
Draco seemed to go back and forth inside of his head, but after a moment he looked her in the eyes and finally answered.
"I wanted to have dinner with them because I have never seen you the way you are with your grandparents," Draco said, running a hand through his hair nervously. "I have had this perception of you the whole time I've known you, but I was completely taken with the girl I saw here. I have seen glimpses of her, but the 30 minutes I spent with you and your grandparents… was… I don't know. Hermione, I want to know that side of you better."
Hermione felt the blush spread across her skin and she did not know how to respond. She felt a little exposed, but in a good way. Breaking eye contact, she looked at their shoes and entwined fingers. In a weird way she felt like they were both abnormally exposed.
'To hell with thinking' Hermoine thought to herself, before looking back into his grey eyes.
She stepped closer to him and reached her free hand around the base of his neck. Draco's breath hitched in surprise and the noise sent a jolt of excitement through her. His hand found the curve of her waist and brought her flush against his body.
For a moment they sat there, hooded eyes, lips inches from each other. He dropped their interlocked fingers and moved his hand up the side of her body until he reached her neck. Mimicking her movement, he locked his fingers into the hair at the nape of her neck.
Finally, like a magnet, they pulled for each other.
Hermione melted into him.
Draco's kiss felt almost greedy, but he kissed her slowly and deliberately.
Unintentionally, she felt herself whimper softly into his lips which caused Draco to tighten his grip on her.
She felt her insides explode. There was nothing to compare this to. Kissing Draco Malfoy was extraordinary.
His soft, full lips knew exactly how she needed to be kissed. He nipped at the bottom of her lip, teasing her.
This is how Hermione deserved to be kissed.
Eventually, Draco slowed the kiss and began just giving her quick pecks on the lips, before pulling his face away.
When Hermoine opened her eyes, the look on Draco's face made her stomach squeeze in excitement.
How dare anyone be this handsome.
"Well, Granger," Draco said, still just inches from her face. "Now I am not sure what I have planned for the evening will live up to that kiss."
The Witch laughed and loosened her grip on him. Before she pulled away completely, Draco snuck a quick peck.
"Let's get inside," He said, interlocking their fingers again as he began moving them down the street.
When they made it inside Hermione saw her grandparents sitting and their usual table and grinned. The place was not half full yet, it was just a tad early for the rambunctious Friday night regulars.
Jack and Bonnie's attention were on each other and they had not noticed their granddaughter walk in. Hermione walked up to their table, put her hands on her hips, and cleared her throat. They both quickly turned their heads and sheepishly grinned at their only grandchild.
"Well how lovely to run into you two, unexpectedly," Hermione said, jokingly. "It is like you two do not know that I hate surprises."
"Ah, Son," Her Papa spoke, looking at Draco. "I told you she would not want to see us. She just entertains us, because she wants our money when we die."
"I will bury you with your mason jar full of coins you have stashed in the pantry," Hermione joked back to him.
Her grandparents stood to greet them properly as she walked around the table. Kissing and hugging them both, Draco shook hands with her grandfather and allowed her grandmother to sweep him into a hug as well.
"You look beautiful, Minnie. Doesn't she Draco?" Hermoine's grandpa commented and the two women shared a smile and a roll of their eyes.
Draco chuckled before adding, "Always."
Hermione avoided looking at anyone when she mumbled a "thank you."
When everyone was seated, Hermione looked around and shook her head.
"Alright," she said. "Some explain how this happened."
Her grandfather shot Draco a quick glance, but spoke up.
"Well, Draco here came over Monday evening and invited us to dinner with you two. He said you had plans later in the evening," He said. "But… I am not so sure Minnie. I think he is using you to get to me."
Bonnie smacked her husband's arm, before she added, "I would also like to know why we are your choice in dinner companions."
Hermione's grandmother was sweet, but it did not let her sharp mind and tongue from being used when they needed to.
Expectantly, Hermione turned to Draco and raised an eyebrow. Letting out a small laugh, the wizard seemed to become more assured under her gaze.
"There really is no big reason or plan," Draco explained. "We had plans this evening and had time to have dinner before. I really enjoyed meeting you two," He nodded his head towards Bonnie and Jack. "I know Hermione and I am sure you three do not get to see each other as often as you would like."
Hermione and her grandparents seemed to accept this answer, by the way all three were nodding their heads.
"Plus, I think it is good for me to be around people who see through the sweet personality she hides behind and know how mean she can be," Draco added, jokingly.
Jack let out a bark of a laugh, while Hermione's first response was to turn to Draco and smack him with the back of her hand. Her knuckles hit his arm a little harder than she meant, but he just laughed while shooting her a wink. Catching her hand quickly, he squeezed it before she pulled it away and faced forward in her seat.
"You do not seem to have this one fooled, Hermione," Bonnie said, getting in on the fun.
Knowing they were all just joking and teasing, Hermione squared her shoulders and narrowed her eyes at them all.
"Out of anyone, you three should really be nice to me," She said. "I have dirt and secrets on all of you."
The three of them laughed again and Hermoine could not help but join in. Just then the waitress interrupted them and took their drink and dinner orders. When she left, Jack began questioning the young Wizard.
"So, Draco," Hermione's grandfather began. "You went to Hogwarts, were you a Gryffindor or one of the others?"
"One of the others," Draco answered with a chuckle, glancing at Hermione. "I was in The Slytherin House. I played the same position Harry played for our house team in quidditch and was a Prefect opposite of Hermione."
"There was a rivalry between the two house, no?" Bonnie asked.
Hermione answered, "Yes, it used to be a long rivalry. Honestly, it is not really like that in Hogwarts anymore. They promote a lot more unity..."
"They can still be pretty vicious in their sports rivalry though," Draco added, knowingly .
"Ah, that seems to always happen," Jack said.
"Harry and I still seem to have an argument about an old school game every few months," Draco said, knowingly smirking Hermione's way.
"Hermione seemed pretty shocked that you were here with some muggle friends last time," Jack said. "Do you mainly have wizard friends?"
Draco nodded before adding, "Yes, I did not know a muggle until after school. I am not sure what Hermoine has told you about the war, but I was raised on the wrong side of it. I had a hard perceptive shift afterwards and made it a point to get out into the muggle world."
Hermione was slightly worried about where the conversation was headed, but Draco and her grandparents seemed to be relaxed.
"That admirable," Bonnie commented.
Draco just shook his head before saying, "No ma'am. It was required. I was extremely sheltered and raised to believe destructive propaganda. I had to work to dismantle it."
He glanced at Hermione and added, "I made a lot of mistakes I am still trying to make up for."
The waitress returned with their drinks and the four of them carried on an easy conversation about Hermione's job. When she came back with their food they found a comfortable balance between silence and continuing their discussion.
Draco learned a lot about Hermone's grandparents, her mother, and the early parts of her life. She turned red just a few times, but thankfully nothing too embarrassing came out. Her grandfather explained American baseball to Draco and asked just as many questions about quidditch. The stories they told offered a look into Hermione's life that she knew Draco had no idea about.
Jack and Bonnie both filled Draco with questions about his job and interest, luckily avoiding too many detailed questions about his family. He responded with good solid answers and asked them just as many questions. Soon everyone had finished their meal and Draco was telling Hermione that they needed to be leaving if they wanted to make their next stop.
Jack tried to argue with Draco over the bill, but the wizard outsmarted him by already giving the waitress his card before he even sat at the table. Hermione's grandpa grumbled and threatened him with physical harm if he did not let him pay the next time. That made Hermione's stomach squeeze with delight. The men even made another promise to get together so Draco should show Jack more about quidditch. When hugging them goodbye, Bonnie promised to invite them both over soon for dinner at their house.
Hermione always enjoyed spending time with her grandparents, but never expected anyone to want to spend time with them too. When they were out in the street, Draco reached for her hand to hold and laced their fingers together. Glancing up at him, Hermione noticed that he was staring at her.
"Thank you, Draco." She finally said. "That was abnormally thoughtful and sweet. I am glad I got to spend time with them. You are right, I do not get to see them enough."
He smirked at her and she looked away before could no longer resist the urge to kiss him again.
They made it to the ally and Draco apparated them away. Landing in a side street unfamiliar to Hermione, he did not drop her hand and started directing to their destination. They quickly came upon rather busy streets with sidewalks filled with people. Not knowing exactly where they were, she guessed somewhere in London.
The night made it difficult, but Hermione was trying to read street signs or look for a familiar landmark. Before she could make anything out, Draco whisked her into a side street and down a few steps to a basement door. Hermione felt his hands drift a little low on her back when he pulled open the door and guided her in. Sucking in her breath, the Witch heard him chuckle.
The room was dark, blinking her eyes adjusted to the space. They were in a small bar with about 15 tables and booths and the tiniest stage she'd ever seen. The place was decently full, but not overwhelming. She guessed about 25 people at most. 25 appearingly muggle people.
Draco shared a wave with the man behind the bar as he led Hermione to an empty booth on the edge of the room.
"What is this place?" Hermione asked, speaking for the first time since they left her grandparents village.
"There is a bar upstairs and they have an open mic a few times a month in the basement here," Draco explained as she slid into the seat.
Pointing to the bar he asked, "Is there something specific I can get you to drink?"
"Surprise me. Nothing sweet."
"Can do," he said, tapping the table before walking off.
She took the chance to glance around at the faces at the tables beside her. This seemed to be a muggle establishment, Hermione realized and smiled to herself. Draco Malfoy definitely had more experience in the muggle world than she would have expected. At the bar she watched as Draco paid for their drinks and overly tipped the bartender. Before she could look away, he turned and caught her staring at him.
Smirking, he raised an eyebrow at her while making his way between the tables. A laugh bubbled up from her lips. Hermione enjoyed flirting with Draco. Even this light, across the room, signal sending was thrilling her. Returning he put their drinks down and sat beside her.
"I hope you don't mind, I got you a glass of whiskey."
"Perfect," Hermoine said, reaching for it and taking a sip.
Delish and strong.
"Muggle?" She questioned, watching Draco drink from his matching glass of whiskey.
He chucked, "The whiskey, yes. I do have to admit that this establishment is owned by a Squib."
"You're joking," She shot back, accusation lacing her tone.
Darco's smile faltered and he turned away from her. That fact shocked Hermione more than the thought of it being muggle. Squibs were still looked down on and pitied in many aspects of the wizarding community. The surprise obviously was apparent on her face.
"No," He said, before clearing his throat. "He is a distant cousin of Theo's. Not that Theo ever knew him growing up…Clint, the owner, I met after the war and he helped me get to know the muggle world."
Hermione was silent as she worked quickly past her own confusion.
"I don't know if I should be proud or upset that I have left Hermione Granger speechless just minutes into our first date," He said, obviously trying to break the tension.
She shot him a smile and shook her head, "Not speechless, just-"
"Just surprised by the lack of obvious bigotry?" He interrupted, challenging her with a dark look.
"I am not going to act like I am not surprised," Hermione responded sharply.
Draco let out a grunt.
"BUT-" She said a little forcefully, "That is part of my own frame of mind… which is a problem. I am used to most Wizards, not just you, being hush-hush about Squibs."
Draco took a moment to take a long drink and glance around the room. He still seemed a little more tense than he had been before this… Without thinking Hermione reached and grabbed his forearm to get his attention. The wizard glanced at her hand before his eyes locked onto hers.
"Really, Draco," Hermione said seriously, holding his gaze. "If I was expecting a bigot, or the person I thought you were years ago, I would not be here."
In a back booth of a dark bar, harsh silver eyes melted into pools and she lost herself in the reflection. Daffodils and Greek Nymphs all made more sense in that moment when their lips met. Their first kiss had been soft and needing, this kiss was demanding. Draco's mouth was fast and deliberate, his tongue teasing her lips open and teeth nipping with a sharp pleasure.
Too soon for her own liking, The blonde pulled back from the kiss, placing his forehead against hers.
"We should stop before they call the muggle police and have us arrested for indecency," He said, keeping his eyes closed.
Hermoine giggled, "I would agree with you on that, Mr. Malfoy. Next time maybe you could kiss me somewhere other than the open public."
"Next time?" He questioned, pulling back and raising an eyebrow at her.
"You're such a prat," She started, but was interrupted by the crackling sound of microphones and speakers being turned on from the small stage.
Hermione turned her attention and listened as a dingy looking college kid unenthusiastically introduced the evenings performers and listed off the bar specials. When he made his way off stage, the singer made her way on stage and began setting up.
"Should I be expecting any surprise performance from you tonight?" She cheekily asked Draco.
"Oh no," He replied, shaking his head. "My musical education is not in this crowd's taste."
"And whose taste is it in?"
"Mainly my mother and her dinner guest, when she had me show off my classical talents as a child."
"No!" Hermione said, gasping in secondhand embarrassment.
The woman on stage began to sing, interrupting their conversation. Draco just nodded at her, with a smirk playing on his lips. A small laugh escaped her before they both turned and watched the girl on the stage. The first song led into the second one immediately, but Hermione could not focus on the performance. She was too aware of Draco's arm pressed up against hers in the booth. Out of the side of her eyes, she could see him seeking glancing at hers every so often. This made her feel like she was glowing.
When the second performer started setting up she turned to him to continue their conversation.
"So what classical musical talents did the young master, Draco Malfoy have?"
"Years of terrible piano lessons with the meanest witch," he replied with a shutter.
"Oh she could not have been that bad," she responded with a laugh.
"Her name was Ms. Brookhaven and she taught my father when he was a boy, too," Draco said. "Just the mention of her still sends a chill down his spine."
"I think I would like anyone who made either Malfoy men shudder with fear," she replied calmly, taking a drink of whiskey.
Draco let out a sharp, loud laugh.
"Cheeky witch."
She simply shrugged and turned her attention to the new performer on the stage. A few moments later she felt Draco lean into her and whisper in her ear.
"It has been quite a few years since I have performed for my mother's dining guest, but I might have to make an exception for her Sunday brunch."
His comment took her by surprise, but knew that her plans with his mother would come up eventually. She turned to him and rolled her eyes at the smirk playing on his mouth.
"So you have heard this ridiculous plan for Bea to be my real estate agent between your mother and me?"
"I am not sure it is ridiculous," He replied. "Wait until you see the property. Bea is rarely wrong and my mother, annoyingly so, as well."
"Will you be there Sunday?" She asked, hoping she did not seem desperate.
"No," he let out a low laugh. "The last thing my mother wants is for me to interrupt her Sunday brunch with you ladies. Less time to interrogate you without defence."
Hermione grimaced at this and Draco noticed.
"Not that she knows that we are out right now," He assured her, with a nudge of his shoulder. "Just a simple date, right, Granger?"
"Right, Malfoy," she said, returning his signature smirk.
The rest of their evening went on like this. Making small talk in between performances and caring on lowly during some of the cringyer ones. They shared a few whiskey and plenty of laughs, trying not to disturb the people around them listening to the show. Before Hermione knew it, Malfoy had paid their tab and pulled her out into the cold.
As they made their way back to the alley they appeared into, Draco held her close to his side. He wrapped his arm around her waist and slipped his hand into her coat pocket.
"Your hands are freezing," She complained sharply, when his fingers wrapped around hers in the pocket.
"We all have fault, Granger. Some people have bad hair, some people do not know how to make the perfect cup of tea… Me? I have cold hands."
"Mmm. So the only fault The Great Malfoy has is cold hands?"
"Of course not, that would be propstrus…. My feet also get cold rather fast too."
The both were laughing when they reached their apparition point and Draco whisked them away. Landing in the garden of Grimmauld, Malfoy once again wrapped his arms around her as soon as they landed. Hermione had to admit she had a great evening. Dinner with her grandparents was relaxing and exactly what she needed after a long week. Without overthinking, spending time with Draco had been amazing. She enjoyed the back and forth they seemed to be having and loved their conversation.
Draco placed a kiss on the side of her head and she heard him whisper, "Thank you for allowing me to take you on an actual date, Hermione."
"I might just let you do it again," she responded, wrapping her arms around him and burying her face into his chest. Taking a deep breath he smelt like oak and mint.
Damn, he even smells phenomenally.
She pulled away from him and planted a kiss on his cheek.
"Thank you for a great night, Draco." She said, smiling and walking the few steps to the door.
"Wait-" He said, grabbing her wrist and pulling her back to him. He bent his head to kiss her, but she dodge him.
Hermione let out a low chuck.
"Mr. Malfoy, I think you have had enough kisses for the evening."
She heard him groan, but he was smirking when she looked at him.
"I can wait until our next date to kiss you," He said. "I am a patient man."
They both laughed at this, knowing how untrue his words were. Hermoine liked having just this small power over him.
"Goodnight, Draco."
"Goodnight, Hermione."
With a final kiss on the cheek, she walked into the house and held her breath as she listened to him apparate away.