Disclaimer: Of course, these lovely characters do not belong to me. I do borrow them for my idea.
Thank you for all the reviews, especially the many first-time reviewers. I was so happy to see you all liked it. I know this was a really slow burn, but we are there now.
I apologize for the delay, I got my covid shot and it knocked me out for a couple of days. But it's all good now.
It was perfect
July 2006
"This is the date?" Her voice sounded unbelieving, and if she had turned she might have caught on his expression that he had a hard time not being offended.
"I thought you'd prefer this." They were in the back yard of his rental in Italy. The furniture was angle towards the house.
"I just thought…" She stopped herself, looking down at her fancy dress. She had fully assumed that he wanted to take her to an expensive restaurant and show of all that he had. She felt overdressed now.
"What?"
"I figured you would go all fancy and that I would be underdressed and not sitting in my most expensive dress in your back yard."
He was quiet.
"Not that it's bad, I like it."
"You can change."
It should have been her first clue that he was wearing what Malfoys considered casual clothing rather than an expensive suit.
"I can't just run out of a date to change."
"You can if your room is down the hall."
She bit the inside of her cheek. She really didn't want to leave, but finally, she nodded and hurried off. She hated these fancy dresses and any occasion, she wasn't obligated, she didn't want to wear them. Back in her room, she was torn between wearing a summer dress that would still fit the Malfoy theme of casual or go to Hermione casual and wear jeans and a nice blouse.
She finally chose a white knee-length dress with a polka dot pattern on it.
"You are still in a dress."
She turned to answer him but was stunned by what she saw behind him. A large white screen was now against the house and it made a lot more sense now, as of why the furniture had been moved.
"It's a date, isn't it?"
He shrugged.
"You should be comfortable, wasn't that the point of changing?"
"I am." She smiled.
"Alright." He lifted his arm for her to take and walked her to the rattan sofa. She didn't notice the assortment of snacks and drinks sat out for them on the table until she sat down.
"Popcorn?" Her eyes went over it all and she noticed more and more things that were clearly from the muggle world.
"I made a fool out of myself and shopped in Gallipoli." He rubbed the back of his neck. "My research shows that a muggle would generally take a girl to see one of these movies and feed her these ridiculous things." His nose crinkled.
"Have you tried any of it?"
He shook his head.
"Roks, please start the movie."
The elf appeared behind them and started fiddling on what she now identified as a projector.
"How?"
"The electricity thing was a little tricky, but Bianchi helped me figure out how to make it work. He had done it before for some of his clients."
She leaned back in her seat, her eyes roaming over all that he had done. The simplicity of it all already faded away next to the work he must have gone through to prepare.
"You are taking me on a muggle date?" She glanced at him in disbelieve.
"Is that not okay?" She could see him tense and hurried to put him at ease.
"No, it's great."
She looked around, while Roks mumbled behind them as he worked the technology, something she would have never guessed to see at Malfoy's house.
Finally, she stood and hurried back to the house. She should have told him what she was doing, but she didn't realize until she returned with a large blanket and caught his nervous gaze.
"Muggle teenagers use a blanket to secretly cuddle."
As always when she said things like that around him, a light blush tainted her cheeks, but today she didn't care. She sat back down and placed the blanket on her legs. He still stood, apparently unsure how to proceed.
"Sit." She ordered him and as he settled in the seat next to her, she threw the rest of the blanket over his lap. "What are we watching?"
She glanced up at him, but it was Roks who responded, hurrying around their sitting arrangement. He balanced a stack of DVDs.
"Master asked Roks to bring a selection. Roks is prepared to show what a list deemed best of the published movies in 2005 and 2006." He placed the stack on her lap. "Miss is to choose."
Hermione looked back at Draco who was still so out of his normal confidence level that he simply shrugged.
"Alright." She sorted through the move, ruling out immediately anything that was too violent or had too much action. Then she ruled out anything overly cheesy.
"Let's watch this. It's based on a novel by Jane Austen." He simply nodded and Roks hurried off to start the movie after vanishing the other DVDs.
"Roks will be available if Master needs help, although Master said to take the rest of the night off." He exclaimed, before starting the movie and disappeared.
Hermione glanced at her date, before she snuggled in deeper into the sofa, after reaching for the popcorn and placing it on her lap. She snacked and watched, but became distracted when she caught his fascinated stare at the moving people.
"You know muggle men, use the chance to sneak their arm around the woman once the movie starts?" He tore his eyes away from the screen just in time to notice her blush.
"That doesn't sound like it should be appropriate."
"Well, it's awkward if the woman is just there as a courtesy, but I wouldn't mind."
He stared at her and then looked down at his arm. She sighed and moved closer to him. He eyed her almost suspiciously, before finally lifting his arm and curling it around her shoulder. Hermione felt him stiffen as she snuggled into him, before refocusing on her popcorn and movie. It took him a few moments, but eventually, he relaxed and he also looked back at the screen.
She could feel his fingers draw circles on her shoulder a while later and hummed happily, as she took another mouthful of popcorn.
"Do you think we could install electricity at the cottage, now that you know how to do it?"
She heard him huff and looked up. His face was on the verge of irritation and she sat up.
"If it's too complicated, you don't need to, I just thought, since you knew how I would like a telly."
He tried to soften, she could tell by his breathing, but something was bothering him.
"What?"
Draco glanced between her and the movie and finally gave another huff, before speaking.
"Is it normal to talk so much while watching these kinds of things? It makes you miss all these important details." His eyes flickered back to the screen once more and she flat out laughed. She clapped her hand over her mouth muffling it when she saw his hurt look.
"The movie is just a facilitator, to quietly whisper to one another among other things."
"What other things?"
"Like trying to kiss the girl you are attending with." She left out that many teenagers probably went a bit further too. He swallowed, but at least his confidence seemed to return. She snuggled back in his side, and smiled happily as his hand squeezed her shoulder, before traveling lower around her waist and pulling her closer.
"I'll look into the electricity and this telly thing for the cottage." His mumble was just loud enough for her to hear.
"Thank you."
She watched in contentment for a while longer, snacking on her popcorn, before another thought occurred to her. He hadn't tried any of the snacks he had provided. While she kept her eyes on the movie this time, she lifted her hand filled with popcorn, where she supposed his mouth would be.
"Try this."
It was probably too much to expect Draco Malfoy to eat food she was holding, but at least his hand preyed open hers and took the popcorn from her. She heard him chewing and as his hand crept towards the bowl for seconds, it must have been not as terrible as he expected.
She smiled to herself and continued to watch.
The movie was almost to the end when she reached out towards the Maltesers. She ate a couple before she lifted her hand once more to hand some to Draco. The squeak that came across her lips, when his touched her hand in the process of eating the candy, was very unlike her. Her eyes immediately met his.
"Were you not trying to feed me?"
She blushed and now it was his turn to laugh at her. Her hand slapped against his chest before she could stop herself, but his laugh just turned into a smirk.
"I suppose this date has a lot of things that we didn't expect?"
"Yes." She took a deep breath.
He leaned towards her.
"You did mention muggle men doing this so please don't slap me again." His lips caught hers before she had a chance to ask questions or analyze what was happening. While they had been married for years, she had only felt his lips on her during that one might years ago. One night she had worked hard to banishing from her memories for the years to come. But now, it seemed like a good memory to go back to. She reached up to weave her fingers through his hair.
A soft moan escaped when his hand pulled her closer. She didn't like the angle though and so she started moving to get even closer. Finally, she swung her leg over his to sit on his lap, sending the popcorn and Maltesers flying to the ground.
"Sorry, you didn't still want any, did you?"
His hands now on both of her hips pulled her closer in response. His mouth already exploring much more than her own, placing soft kisses on her neck as well.
It was the movie credits that got them to part.
"Did I at least do the snogging part right?" She laughed.
"You did." She scooted back, her hands on his chest, playing with the buttons of his shirt.
"I supposed it's time to walk you home."
"I am home."
"To your room then."
She laughed and squeaked as he pushed forward moving both of them off the sofa. His arms securely around her so she wouldn't fall. Before taking her hand and walking her back into the house, he kissed her one more time.
"This was really great."
"So, you wouldn't mind if I asked you out again?"
"I wouldn't." She gave his hand a squeeze.
He smiled at her when they reached her door. His free hand caressing her cheek.
"Is it a muggle thing to kiss goodnight?"
"If it was a good date."
He hesitated at that.
"Draco, I already told you that I liked it."
"Just making sure."
They kissed again and before she knew it, she was pressed against her bedroom door. Her body ached for more, reminding her how long exactly it had been since she had had sex the last time.
"Goodnight." Where he took the self-control to push away at this point, she didn't know. She gaped at him, but finally smiled and opened the door behind her. "I'll be sure to owl you."
"A muggle would call or text."
"Not sure if you would ever hear from me again if I attempted that." He rubbed the back of his neck: "Considering that I have no idea what you are talking about."
"Owl me then."
She woke the next morning to the tap of an owl against her window. Still half asleep she walked over and asked the animal to head to the kitchen and have Roks give her some treats, while she opened the note. She fully expected it to be a note from Draco, considering how they had parted last night.
Her eyes grew wide, and she stumbled towards the door.
"Draco!" She knocked but opened the door before he had a chance to respond. He looked up from tying a towel around his waist, his hair still wet from his shower. He raised an eyebrow, and she felt the heat creep into her cheeks. Which was ridiculous if she let her logical brain think about it. They had had sex before; she knew what he looked like naked. Although the second glance she allowed herself, told her that he had matured quite nicely.
"Langston, I have an interview tomorrow afternoon."
"What position."
"Research, only the required hours on the floor outside of patients applying to my research."
"Do you have your proposals ready?"
She nodded.
"Do you have an outfit that makes you comfortable going to that interview?"
She nodded again, her eyes back on his naked chest.
"I'll arrange for a portkey early in the morning. I'll come with and install that electricity you have asked for at the cottage."
"You Malfoys have a really weird way of showing your excitement over things like this."
He snorted.
"How would a Granger do it?"
"Well, a hug and praising words would be a start, although I don't know if hugging you in this…" her eyes trailed down to the towel. "…would be such a good idea."
He smirked and took the few steps towards her.
"This is amazing, and you are going to do so well in this interview tomorrow." He cupped her face with his hands. "I never doubted that there was a position where you would get the recognition that you deserve."
"I don't have the job yet." She mumbled.
"You will get it." He placed a soft kiss on her nose.
"You didn't bribe them, did you?" She felt him stiffen. "Sorry, I didn't mean it."
Hermione made a point to catch his eyes.
"It's a dumb thing to say and with Harry or Ginny it would be funny, but with your family's history, it's silly."
He placed his thumb to her lips to stop her from rambling on.
"I see no need to bribe them. They should pay me money for letting them know you are available."
The soft blush to her cheeks returned and he couldn't resist placing a chaste kiss on her lips.
They did go about their day fairly at a rather fast pace and so it was no surprise to be back in England before she could really think about it. Her outfit was prepared in her room, her notes and paperwork were ready and now she had time to kill, which brought her to the kitchen.
In all honesty, she was a terrible cook. Terrible, but she needed something to do, so Roks had reluctantly shown her how to do the layering for his lasagna and left her to do the rest. She expected him to redo it, once she left the kitchen, but wouldn't let it bother her.
Narcissa was sat at the kitchen table, watching her work on lunch. Hermione had just recounted her date with Draco, which was weird in a way, but not as weird as it would be to tell her friends about it. At least Narcissa generally liked her son and wouldn't be judgmental.
"It was perfect." She hummed as she put another layer of lasagna noodle in the dish.
"I'm glad."
"And that he would go through the trouble to go all muggle." She layered the other ingredients. "I mean of course Roks was there, but other than that, we didn't do something overly magical."
Narcissa snickered behind her.
"What?"
"You are quite smitten by my son, aren't you?"
Hermione blushed as she turned to her former mother-in-law. She truly was, although she wouldn't ever admit to it yet.
"I'm glad, dear. Truly I couldn't think of a better match myself."
"Thanks."
She finished her work and then left Roks to finish the food. After lunch, she made an excuse to head to her room and mentally prepare herself for the interview. It was shortly after she left that Narcissa also apparated and appeared by the cottage. She found her son working on the top level on some wiring she couldn't identify.
"Mother, to what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I brought you lunch."
He eyed the food before declining kindly.
"Hermione made it."
He laughed, which caused her to raise her eyebrows.
"You are serious." Draco took the plate and sniffed it, before putting it aside. "I'll eat later."
Narcissa nodded and walked out to inspect the other rooms, before she returned and hovered in a corner by the window, only pretending to look outside. He could feel her eyes on him and finally sighed.
"What is this about?"
"There is no playing games with her. Forget impressing her father, if you hurt Hermione, I will disown you and keep her."
He stared at his mother. Her expression left no doubt that she was serious. This wasn't what he had expected. In fact, he had assumed she would be happy if he once again turned Hermione into a semi-official member of the family. How did she even know about the date?
If Roks that little prat had talked, not even Hermione's love would protect him. Draco leaned against the wall he was working on and rubbed over his face.
"Why would I hurt her?"
"Why would you hurt Lucia or Ashley?"
"That's different."
"How?"
Draco opened his mouth but shut it again, just before the traitorous words could leave his mouth. The simple answer was because he truly loved her. But it was way too early to let anyone hear that. Better reasons would be, it wasn't the same, because he wasn't bound to anyone else as he had been back then. Also even without proclaiming his love, it had been Hermione all along. The bind might be gone, but his feelings had just started with the spell work lifting the bind. But he couldn't tell his mother that before he told Hermione and they weren't there yet.
"I won't hurt her."
Her face softened and a small smile crept to her lips. Whatever she had read in him seemed to please her.
"She has been through a lot, much due to our families' doings and I simply wish for her to be happy."
"I do too, mother."
Narcissa nodded.
"You took her on a muggle date."
"It was quite embarrassing; I didn't know what I was doing."
"She found it endearing that you would go through the trouble of doing so."
He rolled his eyes, although his heart warmed.
"Now since I'm here, I need to talk to you about the mess of a yard." She stepped out the door, fully expecting him to follow her. By the time he made it downstairs, she had already called for Bits as well as Mali, who tended to the gardens at the Manor.
"I assume she doesn't want anything grand like the Manor gardens."
"Wouldn't it make more sense to do this with Hermione?"
"She'll be there for the details. For now, these rocks need to be cleared out for sure. Is she expecting those muggle means of transportation to arrive here or will a walkway do?"
"Her parents can't drive so I wouldn't assume anyone else can."
"Perfect." And then he was dismissed. Narcissa directed the elves around the yard, and he clearly had no role in it, so he retreated to his work in the house. Draco was busy wiring the living space for her telly and some lights when he felt the wards change upon her arrival.
The door flew open before he could even get up and she flung herself into his arms. Previously kneeling he fell backward, dragging her with him. But she didn't mind.
"I got it." A kiss to his lips followed. She sorted through their tangled masses and now sat on his stomach, beaming down at him. "They enjoyed both of my proposals but since there are more funds available in the psychology department, they recommended me to start on that one."
"I can start on Monday, they won't have my office ready until the week after, but I can finish the proposal for approval from home and owl it to them. So maybe we could go back to Italy until my office is ready. I work so much better there.
Of course, after my office is ready, I need to be in England most of the time."
"The cottage will be ready then. You should take Daphne she knows where to get the best quality furniture." It would also mean that he could tell Daphne to charge everything to the Malfoy fault since Hermione clearly didn't have the gold at the moment.
She raised an eyebrow at him.
"Make a girls day out of it, take Potter's wife too. The Lovegood girl probably has interesting input as well. You'll need a nice office if they let you do work at home."
She stared down at him, before finally giving in and leaning down to kissing him again.
"Thank you."
Neither of them noticed Narcissa quietly backing back out of the room and calling her elves to leave for the day. Hermione hadn't even noticed her, as she had sprinted into the house and now clearly didn't need her.