December 1998—
Last minute Christmas shopping was a big focus for the Weasleys that year. Hermione was used to doing most of her shopping by owl or post, but she was still happy for a trip out to Diagon Alley. It was morning, two days before Christmas, and she, Ginny, Harry, and Ron were all in tow with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.
"You four stick together," said Mrs. Weasley. "You're a conspicuous lot these days. Can't be too careful."
She gave Ginny a hug, then added, "And don't spend all your money. No one needs expensive gifts!"
She straightened Ron's jacket. "It's the message behind the gift that counts the most."
She moved to flatten Harry's hair. "And—"
"Come on, Molly dear. Let's let the young folk have their fun," Mr. Weasley said, taking his wife by the arm.
"Don't worry, Mum, we'll be smart." Ginny pecked them both on the cheek. She grabbed Harry and Hermione's arms and dragged them away, leaving Ron to hobble after.
"Oy! Calm your tits! We don't have to run to get anywhere," he bellowed behind them.
Hermione broke free of Ginny's grasp and slowed down to include Ron in their group. He smiled down at her as they continued together behind Harry and Ginny.
"So, where we headed today? Bookshop for 'Mione, broomshop for us," he ticked each one off on his fingers, "Florean's obviously for Harry. Your ice cream addiction is a real problem."
"Ever since I spent those weeks here in third year… What can I say?" Harry shrugged.
"We have to go to the apothecary," Ginny added with a not so subtle wink to Harry. Most apothecaries had a selection of adult potions in addition to the traditional remedies and ingredients. Hermione and Ron both grimaced, but for very different reasons.
"Wouldn't mind visiting the joke shop," Harry said. "Is George ever at this location anymore?"
"Yeah, mate, he told me he'd be here all week. More business than in Hogsmeade for the holidays. Let's go there first." Ron turned to Hermione. "Where else you need to visit?" Then he added in a whisper, "Please Godric don't say the apothecary."
Hermione laughed. "I could pick up some more potion supplies, but no, I definitely don't need the apothecary for that."
They meandered happily down to Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. Once inside, a shop attendant stopped them, having recognized Harry.
"Mr. Potter! Pleasure to have you in the store. I have instructions from the owner that if you ever visit, you're to have anything you want. Would you like to see our new selection of Transformation Truffles?"
"Yeah, all right," Harry said, and he let the attendant lead him off to the other corner of the store with Ron in tow.
"Let's go get some of those Daydream Charms. I could use something to keep myself busy when we're back at Hogwarts."
"Ginny," said a voice behind them, "that's the last thing a bloke wants to hear about his sister."
Ginny turned around and grinned at George. "Don't be ridiculous. You should be glad I'm talking about an imaginary boy in a very tame daydream rather than what Harry and—"
"STOP. You've made your point. They're just down that aisle with all the pink."
Ginny smirked and started off in that direction.
"Listen, Hermione," George said in a hushed tone, "I know I said next time I saw you… but I wasn't expecting it to be this soon, was I?"
"No, quite right. Today doesn't count. Next time you're at the Burrow or something, and we're not surrounded by all your family."
"Good, it's a deal." Then, in his regular voice, he added, "Please tell me you're not after a Daydream Charm too."
"No, thanks. I might just have a look at your trick quills. You'd be surprised how many people ask me for quills, assuming I always carry spares."
"Well, do you?"
"Yes, but they're for me! Not for morons who forget to bring a quill to class."
"Fair enough! Right this way."
After they all made George considerably wealthier with gifts for themselves and each other, they filed out into the bustling street.
"Apothecary next!" Ginny called over her shoulder to them. They were forced to walk single file to avoid slamming into people.
"Okay, fine," Ron shouted back, "but next let's go to, oomf—" he ran headlong into Harry, nearly toppling both boys to the pavement. "What's the holdup?"
Hermione stopped behind Ron and Harry just in time. She peeked over their shoulders, and her eyes caught the top of a perfect blond head.
"Malfoy, this is a surprise," Ginny said brightly. Hermione held her breath.
"Just shopping, Weaselette."
"Anything good?"
"I'm playing errand boy for my mother. Potter, Weasley," he inclined his head in each of their directions and cast around searching for something, or someone. Hermione tried to edge her way around her taller friends.
"Malfoy," Harry jumped in and glanced over his shoulder at Hermione and Ron. "Is your mother well?"
Draco nodded, but his eyes had followed Harry's and finally locked onto her. His features noticeably softened, and his eyes twinkled as he said, "Ah, Granger. I knew you'd be close by. Not in the bookstore already?"
"I think that's our second stop," she said, trying to keep her voice even. "We've only just arrived. Did you, I mean, are you headed there too?"
"Not today. Mostly potion ingredients and Mother's list. After last term, I'm stocking up on—"
"—chizpurfle carapace!" They said at the same time. Hermione grinned, and Draco smirked. Then he pulled a small parcel from his robes and held it our for her. "Figured you'd need a pouch too after that abysmal display in Herbology with the Venomous Tentacula."
Ginny pushed her out in front to accept his offering and pulled Harry and Ron back a couple feet.
"You're one to talk! Have you replaced your gloves as well then?"
"I hardly think splashing one potion compares," he drawled but then produced a glove-sized package, and they both laughed. The passersby on the street were moving around them with annoyed glares, but the only eyes Hermione saw were Draco's, alight and dancing over her face.
"Well, I'd say thank you for the carapaces, but I'm not sure if this is a thoughtful or mocking gift."
"Can't it be both?"
"What's your game, Malfoy?" Ron's voice spat from behind her, making Hermione jump. In an instant, Malfoy's face closed off. Ron's, on the other hand, was turning an odd shade of purple. Malfoy straightened and stared at Ron, glanced at Hermione, then returned to Ron.
"Ah, I see." His face was a blank mask. "Potter, future-Potter, enjoy your holidays," he added, and there was no warmth left in his voice. He turned back to Hermione. "Happy Christmas, Granger." And with that, he pushed past and left.
"Ronald, what the hell is wrong with you?" Ginny practically screamed once Malfoy was out of earshot.
"With me? Have you all lost your minds?" Ron's face was angry and twisted. "Have you forgotten that was Malfoy?"
"Yes, that was Malfoy. Were you listening to anything we said about him last night!?"
"Have you girls been Confunded or something!?"
"Ron," Harry jumped in, "you have to admit he was civil. I mean, he bought potion ingredients for Hermione. That's pretty progressive for Malfoy."
"Yeah, give those to me, Hermione. They're probably cursed. We need to chuck 'em."
"You'll do no such thing, Ronald!" Ginny yelled in what Hermione thought of as her "Mrs. Weasley voice."
"Oh, let's just go," Hermione pleaded.
Ron did not budge. "You can't all be serious. You're on Malfoy's side?"
"There are no sides, Ron! I've told you, we worked together a lot this term. He's really changed!"
"I see how it is. First Ernie, and now Malfoy. You've got time for every other guy but me."
"Hey, that's not fair," Harry cut in, and he gave Ron a meaningful look. "Why don't you go cool off while we head to the apothecary."
To Hermione's astonishment, Ron pursed his lips, then looked away. He nodded.
Still, Hermione was shaking. Did Ron actually know about Malfoy, or was he just making assumptions again? And what was that look about? "I think I'll just go to Flourish and Blotts now," she forced out.
"We'll go with you."
"No, no, I'll be fine. You know I'm buying you all books anyway." She tried to laugh.
Harry looked to Ron. "I'll go with, and we'll meet you lot for the broom shop and ice cream after."
Harry and Ginny both nodded. Ginny gripped Hermione in a quick hug and whispered, "Kick 'im in the sack if he starts up again."
They left Hermione and Ron standing awkwardly side by side. She took the lead and headed towards the bookshop. Ron made it half way in silence, while she held her breath.
"Hermione, what does he really have over you?" He asked. His voice was calm, but Hermione was starting to see red. "You can tell me. You can trust me."
She whirled on him. "Nothing," she hissed. "Merlin forbid any other guy treat me with civility when you can't."
"Civil—what! Where were you, Hermione? You're always trying to take the high road, but where were you when I needed you? Snogging Macmillan? Cuddling up to Malfoy?"
"I was right there being tossed aside by you! All summer, in case you forgot! Did you expect me to grovel at your feet until you could deign to give me any notice?"
"How dare—"
"Just go, Ron! If I'm so horrible to you, just go!" Without waiting for his rebuttal, she stormed off.
"Bloody witch!" She heard him call after her, but she kept on marching.
She entered the bookshop on her own, still scowling at Ron, and met the back of a perfect blond head again. Her anger melted away in an instant.
"Malfoy?"
He turned around, his expression flat. "Granger."
She glanced over her shoulder, but Ron was nowhere in sight.
"Are you okay?"
"Of course," he drawled.
"Should I have told them?"
His eyes widened slightly. "Told them?"
"About us? I didn't think we'd want to share yet."
"Us?" An eyebrow quirked up.
"Oh, I thought—" Hermione's voice caught in her throat. She should have known. Of course he thought of them as casual. A few kisses and some racy notes. Only she took everything so seriously, she knew that. She felt her heart start to clench, and she turned away from him. She could not bear to look up into his eyes just yet. The fight with Ron was still too fresh, and she was not yet ready for more rejection.
"Come with me," he said. Then, his hand was in the crook of her arm, and he was guiding her away to the back of the store. She followed blindly, clenching her teeth and averting her gaze, and trying desperately not to think about why he did not want to be seen talking with her. He stopped at some oddly placed shelves that met at a dead end nook and turned to her. She braced herself.
Hermione felt Draco's hands slip under her jaw and tilt her head up, but she kept her eyes down. She heard him sigh. When his arm snaked around her waist, her eyes finally snapped to his. She saw depth and fire in them, and he was closing the distance between them. Her lips parted in anticipation, and that was all the encouragement he needed. His mouth were on hers in a flash. Their kiss was fierce and firm. Hermione dug her fingers into his chest and gripped his shirt, dragging him closer. Their tongues met, and heat flashed through her body.
Only after several long minutes did they pull apart. Draco's breath was heavy, and Hermione smirked to see what she had done to his hair.
"So there's an 'us' then?" he asked huskily.
Hermione responded by kissing him again. She poured all of her passion into it, not caring that they were in public, until she heard a throat clear behind her.
"Malfoy."