Chapter 11 – The Date

The next morning I received an owl from Granger to let me know she was okay, as promised. I sent her back a letter with my address, for whenever she needed to talk. I'd been thinking about what Ginny had said to me, and Hermione did deserve some who could be there for her. You could argue that I was yesterday, but that was more of a right place right time thing. I really wanted to actually be there for here. Feeling sorry for how abruptly we'd left the function last night I decided to go to the manor and apologize to Mother.

I used the floo again and popped out into the entryway. After a short search I found Mother having tea out on the porch with her friends. She looked delighted to see me.

"Draco! Two surprise visits in one week! When did I get so lucky? Come! Say hello to my friends."

"Good morning ladies, you look as ravishing as ever," they all preened at my compliment, "Would any of you mind if I stole my mother away for a quick chat?" They all shook their heads and giggled. I heard a few mutter about me being a charmer as I escorted my mother back up to the house.

"Is everything alright Draco?" She asked concerned.

"Yes everything is fine, I just wanted to apologize again for having left so hastily last night."

"Oh I don't mind dear. She did look quite pale. I'm more annoyed about you lying and telling me that you aren't in a relationship with this girl."

I frowned, "Mother I didn't lie."

She waved her hand at me, "Oh rubbish. I saw the way you two were dancing together. How you two were leaned in and whispering like there was no one else around you. Why did you think I came over? I wanted to speak with the girl that was so obviously in love with my son."

I couldn't help the grin that spread across my face, while trying to reign it in I asked, "What makes you think she has feelings for me?"

Mother sighed, "Honestly Draco you can stop this charade of yours." She stopped and suddenly an annoyed look crossed her face, "Is this why your apartment looks so bare? You spend all your time at her place and your things have gradually been moving over? Oh Merlin, I bet she lives in some cheap 'rent control' place too."

"Mother!" I cried, trying to stop her insane rantings, "I've never even kissed her!"

Mother stood there for a moment before asking, "Why?"

"What?!" I near yelled, my emotions flying high.

"Well you two obviously like each other. So unless she's taken why haven't you kissed her yet?" When I squirmed and mumbled something about timing my mother looked horrified, "Draco Lucius Malfoy! I did not spend years raising a coward. If the war taught me anything it is that time with the people you love is short. So if you really like this girl then go out and get her!" Mother turned around and walked back out to meet her friends. Mumbling under her breath about timing and stupid boys as she exited the house.

I went back to my apartment and spent the rest of the afternoon thinking about what Mother had said. Was it possibly that Hermione was actually interested in me? She clearly wasn't in love with me, mother was off her rocker on that one. But maybe we'd had enough conversations that she was able to see me as more than just an ex-death eater.

I felt panic and hope rise in my chest. Hope that maybe I wasn't beyond redemption, maybe someone could care to grow for me? And the panic of not knowing what to do about it. I'd mostly been a hermit since the war ended. I hadn't gone on a date since I was 16. A voice in my head told me that I wasn't worthy of any one's company, let alone hers. She was fierce and passionate, and far too kind. But a new voice, that sounded suspiciously like Hermione, argued back. I needed to forgive myself and have a life, and shouldn't I let the woman decide if I'm worthy of her?

I felt the hope grow a little larger in my chest as I decided that I was going to do it. I was going to ask out Hermione Granger. The absurdity of the statement made me laugh out loud. I, Draco Malfoy, was going to ask Hermione Granger on a date. I laughed darkly, it was a good thing my father was dead because if he knew what I'd planned to do he'd probably kill himself all over again.

Now I just had to make an actual plan. I suddenly prayed to any god that would listen that this might actually work.

I spent the week thinking about how to propose a date to Granger. Sure she'd asked me to the ministry ball but it was just as friends. I needed her to see that I was serious. I tried to think of something that would take her mind off of the past and of her current obligations, but all my brain could come up with was a picnic in a library and that was just absurd. The other healers began noticing my distraction as the week wore on.

"What case are you working?" Healer Fletcher sat down across from me with his lunch.

I looked up at him, "Case? What case?"

He looked confused, "If it isn't a case for a difficult patient then what has had you so distracted the last few days?"

Suddenly understanding what he was talking about I looked away from embarrassment, "Oh! Yes. Case. Sorry, I was so distracted I didn't really hear you."

Fletcher gave me a deadpan look, "That was a really terrible lie. Especially by your standards."

I sighed, and contemplated just leaving without telling him anything. Unfortunately Fletcher was one of the only people who actually spoke with me and I really didn't fancy burning the only person who treated me okay. "Fine, there's this girl-"

"Miss Granger." He not-so-helpfully supplied. When he saw my glare he raised his hands in surrender, "Sorry."

Frustrated at being so easily read, and trying not appear flustered, I continued, "This girl I want to ask out." I could see Fletcher's eyes snap to me in surprise. He clearly wanted to say something but given my earlier reaction was struggling not to. Smart man. "She's rather... bookish. And I can't think of anything she might enjoy." I paused momentarily before confiding in him, "The last time I asked a girl out we went to Honeydukes on a Hogsmeade weekend."

Fletcher cringed, "Seriously? That long?"

Offended I glibbed, "Well having Voldemort living in my home was a real turn off for a couple years there."

He flinched and took a bite from an apple. After a tense moment he replied, "Yeah I guess that makes sense. Why not ask one of her friends for help? They'll know what she likes."

I instantly barked out a loud laugh, startling the tables beside us, "Oh yes. That'll go well. Hey Potter, I know you hate me and think I'm worse than the scum on your shoe but do you mind helping me to woo Granger? Weasley would burst a vein and have an aneurysm." I paused as I thought about that, "You know that wouldn't be so bad maybe I will ask him."

Fletcher rolled his eyes, "You took an oath not to harm people. And I didn't mean them exactly. She must have some girl friends who'd be excited to help."

I thought it over. The Weaslette, or Potter now I guess, probably wouldn't be completely against it. She might even be so glad to talk to someone over 1 year old that she'd even be desperate enough to help me. Only one way to find out.

My lunch break the next day found me outside the Potter's place desperately trying to think of any last minute ideas so I wouldn't have to stoop to this. Still turning up nothing I cursed my useless brain and knocked on her front door. After a minute Ginny answered, wearing an apron and covered in food.

"Draco?" She starred at me in shock with a ladle in her hand and her wand stuck in the front pocket. I was glad she didn't see me as enough of a threat to have grabbed for her wand instead.

"Hello Mrs. Potter. How are you this afternoon?" I asked politely.

She starred at my suspiciously, "I'm fine... How are you?"

Trying not to sigh I answered, "Actually I could use your help. May I come in?"

After a second of thought she moved aside and lead me to her kitchen. After we both had a tea and went through the required small talk I finally got to the point of my visit.

"I need your help asking Hermione out." I felt calling her Granger wouldn't have swayed Ginny to my side.

She had unfortunately been about to take a sip of tea and was now coughing up a lung. Once her throat was mostly clear she croaked out a simple, "What?!"

I tried, and failed, not to smirk at her reaction, "I said I would like your help in asking Hermione on a date. I've tried to think of what she would like but everything I could think of wasn't good enough." I decided to leave out how abysmal my dating history truly was. I didn't need to embarrass myself further.

She starred at me like I was insane, "But she's a muggleborn."

I tried not to feel hurt, after how I'd been during school and how little Ginny had interacted with me she couldn't know I wouldn't still be disgusted by that. "Your point?"

She gaped at me, and then slammed her mouth shut, "Nothing. I was just under the impression that muggleborns were scum that weren't worth even licking your shoes clean."

I flinched at her words. I was a child who'd been brain washed by my family, how was I supposed to know better? "I thought given your words in Miss Grangers flat the other day you would have been more accepting of my intentions. It seems I was wrong." I stood up to leave, "Good day."

Ginny grabbed my arm, "Wait Draco. What are your intentions? Because I'm not helping you torture her or just get in a lay before you cut and run."

At least she was considering helping me. "I want companionship." I attempted to leave all emotions out of my words.

"Companionship? That's all?" She starred at me, trying to determine the truth.

I decided not to tell her that the image of Hermione cooking breakfast with the baby had been seared into my brain. "That's all."

She nodded, "Okay then."