Her floo came to life the next morning and Harry stepped out, only to freeze at the sight of the large dog trotting over to him.
"Woah! Who is this?" Harry asked, dropping to his knees to Emilia.
"This is Emilia. I just got her. Isn't she wonderful?"
Harry grinned at her as Emmy got a toy and proceeded to jump around him. "Is this your new friend?"
"Yes. I stumbled across an animal shelter and absolutely fell in love with her."
"So, things are going good out here so far?"
She nodded. "I feel like I can think again, like I can finally figure out what's next for me. I don't know how long I'll stay here, but I really needed to get away."
"So, are you going to tell me about Malfoy? Oh wait, I'm sorry…Draco."
"There's not much to tell." She lied. She wasn't going to admit so easily that she was quickly developing feelings for the man. "He lives here. He actually volunteers at the shelter, that's where I met him. We talked for a bit. And yesterday I spent the day with him before I joined him, Theo, and Theo's great uncle for dinner."
Her friend's jaw dropped. "You're gone just over a week and already throwing yourself in with snakes? Merlin, Hermione, you really are turning over a new leaf, huh? Wait. Did you say that Draco Malfoy volunteers at an animal shelter?"
She grinned. "He does. I'm not supposed to tell anyone this but we don't keep secrets from each other, so- the first time a dog was adopted out after started working there, he cried. He also has his own dog."
"Ohhhhh you like him!"
"No, no. We're just getting reacquainted."
Harry smirked. "You can't lie to me. You like him."
She retrieved the letters and motioned for Harry to read them before giving in. "I like him. A lot more than I should after just re-meeting him."
"Wow," Harry said quietly. "These are the letters Ron kept?"
"Yeah. It still baffles me why he would even want to keep them? Or why didn't he throw them away after taking them? I mean none of it makes sense."
"Did you tell Malfoy you read the letters?"
She sighed and relayed the events of the previous night to him. He listened carefully, his lip twitching as she told him about Lucius. He seemed intrigued by Malfoy, though.
"He told his father that he would 'put him down'? Harry gasped.
"Yes. It was pretty intense. Then he brought me back home, made sure I was okay. Then I hugged him. And Harry when he put those stupidly gorgeous tattooed arms around me I think I actually melted."
His eyebrows shot up. "Tattooed?"
"Merlin, his arms are covered in tattoos. I wonder if he has more…"
"Ah, ah. Okay. Yeah, cool. He has tattoos." Harry cringed.
She rolled her eyes. "You have a tattoo. And I know you love tattoos on women. And men."
He acquiesced. "Yes, but I don't want to hear all of your naughty thoughts about Draco Malfoy and his tattoos."
"I'm sure you've thought about him at least once on your trip to self-discovery. We all have, Harry. Saying Draco Malfoy is attractive is the understatement of the century. I never let myself admit that I found him attractive but this new Draco Malfoy? I couldn't deny it if I tried."
"Ok, fine. I have thought about it. But he's not my type. I like tall, dark, goofy."
"Speaking of your taste, what's going on with Ginny. I did want to talk to you alone because of Draco but you're usually not so quick to not include Gin."
He winced at his girlfriend's name. "Didn't waste any time bringing that up. Well. I'm just going to spit it out. She's cheating on me and I'm gay."
She gasped. "What! How long?"
"Well, I don't know exactly when. I mean I figured out I was bisexual about three years ago. Why are you surprised? You already knew that. I don't know when I started not finding women appealing.."
"Harry! You being fully gay instead of only half gay is not the point. Or the least bit shocking. How long has she been seeing someone else?"
"Oh!" He yelled. "I don't know. I went for drinks with a coworker last week and she was all over this guy in the pub. She told me she was meeting Luna."
She pulled him in, squeezing as hard as she could. "I'm so sorry, Harry. I'll hex the shit out of her for you."
He chuckled and wiggled out her arms. "Don't be too sorry. My first thought when I saw them wasn't 'Oh shit my girlfriends cheating on me' it was 'Oh shit, I'd fuck him too'."
She half groaned, half laughed. "What am I going to do with you?"
Her floo went off then and Theo stepped out, grinning ear to ear. "I heard you had an interesting night, Granger. Drake barely gave me details so you must tell your best friend all about it."
"That position is filled. She already has a best friend." Harry scowled.
"Oh, sorry right. Your gay best friend." Theo amended.
"She already has one." Harry repeated.
Theo's eyes grew wide before he started laughing. "I knew it! Draco owes me 50 galleons. When a gay man tells you that someone is gay, don't bet against them."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Theo, I told you that I had plans today. Do you want me to revoke your floo privileges?"
"Wait…you...what?" Harry stuttered. "You bet on my sexuality?"
"Oh yeah. Back in sixth year. He swore you were following him because you were suspicious of him. I told him it was pent up sexual frustration from hiding your true sexuality from yourself.
Hermione choked back a laugh, attempting to school her features as Harry glared at her.
"Anyway." Theo said. "Back to the topic at hand. I was told there was some pretty serious hugging going on last night. Some very intense hugging."
"Theo I finally got the letters he sent me and then ended up at the end of Lucius Malfoy's wand only to be rescued by Draco. Of course I hugged him. But it was just a hug." She could lie but she couldn't hide her blush.
He saw right through her. "Well maybe I'll just tell him that it was just a hug and not to read into how tightly you held onto him or how long you held on to him. He'll probably be crushed. But best to get it over with now and not drag out the pain, though."
He turned to walk towards the floo and she jumped from the sofa. "Wait...I didn't mean…I mean I was just saying…"
"That was too easy, Hermione." Harry scolded. "You're losing your touch."
"Or maybe, a certain blonde prat just swept her off her feet that morning at the animal shelter." Theo teased. "Don't you worry, though. Your secret is safe with me. I, for one, would love to see this play out."
She practically growled at him. "You're a menace, Theodore!"
"Ahh but you love me! Or you will. Now, I will leave you to your plans but I would like to propose a counter offer to you, Potter. You take the role of the gay big brother that you so obviously deserve and I will take the role of the gay best friend."
"I'm older than him." She grumbled.
They ignored her.
Harry frowned, contemplating it before shrugging. "Yeah, alright."
"Perfect!" Theo yelled, walking up to Hermione and kissing her right on the lips. "You may not see it now, but we really are going to be best friends. And Potter, now that it's confirmed you're gay, Hermione has my number."
"Damn, Nott. At least wait until I break up with my girlfriend before you hit on me."
Theo gave him a wicked grin. "Deal. Hermione, love, be sure to keep me updated."
He spun away on the floo and Harry sat dumbfounded. "Wait, was he serious?"
"Pretty sure. Good luck with that one." She snickered.
"Well, he is fit."
"Fucking Hell. Pick a movie, Potter."
Just as promised, Draco called her Monday morning. He was going into the wizarding town, Banchory, and asked her to go along. She only hesitated for a second before enthusiastically agreeing. He apparated to her house instantly and grinned as she opened the door, still in her pajamas.
"Good morning 'Mi. Ready for a day of fun?"
"I thought you were just running errands?" She asked, secretly giddy that he used her new nickname.
He raised a brow. "Yes, but it's an errand with me. Of course it's going to be fun."
She noticed the night of the letter fiasco, most of his nervousness around her seemed to melt away. It was like he finally got closure with her forgiveness and the chance to prove himself to her. She wasn't angry, she could admit she found his playful arrogance just as appealing.
"Give me a few moments to get ready. And we'll go."
She calmly walked to her bedroom before rushing to the bathroom and throwing herself in the shower and attempting to make herself presentable. She decided on a loose braid for her hair instead of trying to manage her curls and spent way too long in her closet before deciding on a blue sweater dress.
"Okay." She breathed. "It's just errands. Not a date. Just go."
She grabbed her bag, going out to meet him and he gave her a warm smile before hesitating and frowning slightly. "You put your hair back."
She paused at the door. "Oh, uhm yeah. It's just easier…"
"Right, of course. Makes sense." He said evenly.
She twirled the tips of her hair self consciously, anxious at his reaction. But he just smiled at her and offered his arm.
"I'll apparate us." He offered.
"Of course, let's go."
The village was a little bigger than Hogsmeade which meant a few more shops to peruse. Draco took care of his list quickly, stocking up on potion supplies before leading her to a tiny bookshop on the corner.
"Now the real reason for the trip." He announced. "This is no regular book shop. The owner is a rare edition collector."
"Draco Malfoy!" She squealed. "Are you serious? You brought me to a collector!?"
He smirked and led her inside. She froze, taking it all in. The shelves were lined with rare books and even rarer editions. The smell was intoxicating to her. Fuck this man was going to do her in. They spent hours in the shop. She looked at every single title they had and she had a growing stack that Draco insisted on carrying for her. She cringed when she thought about how much money she was about to spend.
"They have a section in the back, as well." He told her.
"I think we should save that for next time. I've picked out too much as it is."
He seemed to brighten at the mention of 'next time' and led her to the counter. The total was disgustingly high and she debated putting a few back before she realized Draco was throwing a handful of coins down.
"Absolutely not!" She said firmly. "You are not buying my books for me."
"Why wouldn't I? I invited you. It's only proper. Besides, I want to."
She pursed her lips, wondering what the chances of winning this argument was. He seemed to read her thoughts, raising his brow in a challenge. She sighed and stomped her foot, but motioned for him to continue.
"I'm paying next time. No questions, no arguments." She demanded.
"Okay. You can pay next time. But only because you said there's going to be a next time.
Now, would you like to go home or would you like to get something to eat first? This place up the road has an amazing fish and chips basket."
She was about to say they could just go home but her stomach growled frustratingly loud. Her cheeks flushed and he laughed. "Well, that answers that question, come on."
He took her hand and she thought he was going to loop her arm through his again, but he slipped his fingers between hers and she smiled at how his hand perfectly engulfed hers.
"Is this okay?" He asked gently.
"Yes" She hoped her voice wasn't as breathless as it sounded to her own ears.
Over dinner they caught each other up on the past few years. She was surprised that he was so knowledgeable on her work at the ministry. He knew the ins and outs of the laws she passed and listened intently to any details he wasn't already aware of. He hung on every word. She tried to remember a time when anyone listened to with such care.
When she ran out of work to discuss with him, she directed the conversation back to him. "Whatever happened to the work you wanted to do with Hogwarts?"
He paled slightly, his tongue poking his cheek. "I had a proposal put together but they refused to meet with me."
"What! Why? What you want to do could make a huge impact on our society!"
"I knew going into it was a risk, 'Mi. They didn't want a death eater having anything to do with the school."
She scoffed. "Please, you were a sixteen year old boy. A child. And honestly a terrible death eater. No, this just won't stand. Do you still have the proposal?"
He grimaced. "No, uhm…after they turned down my meeting I kind of went a little mad. I burned it."
"Well then, we'll put together a new proposal. We can work on it together. Like we should have done years ago. Between the two of us, we can plan cultural classes that will change the future."
"You really want to do that with me?"
She took his hand across the table, "Of course. I would have done it with you before if I had received the letter. Truly I would have. Let's do it, Draco. We'll make a proposal they can't deny. And they will absolutely see you this time. I promise you."
He looked skeptical at that, but grinned at her regardless. "Ok. Ok, we're going to this. Get ready, Hogwarts. Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy are coming."
"We should try and get it done in time for the new school year. I would hate for us to have to wait another whole year."
"If anyone can do it in just a few months, we can. I was raised in a Sacred 28 family and you were raised with muggles. We've got the best of both worlds."
She was more excited about this project than she was about anything she tried to accomplish recently. They talked about some basics of their proposal before he guided her out and led her home.
When he walked her to the door, she wasn't quite ready for him to go just yet. She looked up at him, biting her lip and fighting her nerves. "Do you want to come in and watch a movie or something?"
He gave her a dopey smile and quickly accepted her invitation. They settled on the couch, knees brushing one another as the movie started. He picked out Jumanji, which was one of her favorites. About halfway through the movie, she felt him shift. His arm reached around and he inched her closer before settling on her shoulder. She smiled shyly at him before relaxing and leaning into him more. She was more aware of his body heat than she was of the movie and she couldn't concentrate on anything but the way his fingers ran up and down arm. She was startled when the final credits started rolling.
"That was good." He said. "I haven't watched many movies. Willy has shown me a few."
"It's one of my favorites"
His damn fingers were still tracing her skin and she struggled to breath normally.
"Would you like anything to drink?" She asked, her own mouth dry with nerves.
"Sure, anything is fine."
She practically ran to the kitchen, downing a glass of water before grabbing him something as well. She turned to meet him back in the living room but he was leaning on the door frame, looking at her with intense eyes.
"Here's your drink." She said quietly.
He thanked her, only taking a few sips before leaning around her and putting it on the counter. "You asked me something the other day that I didn't want to answer. But I want to answer now."
"What did I ask you ?" She breathed.
He took a step towards her and she stepped back, hitting the kitchen island. "You asked me if I started looking at you differently. Would you like to know why?
"
She nodded, not sure if her voice would work at the moment. He took another step forward. His scent went straight to her knickers. She wanted to bury herself in him.
"Ask me why I was looking at you differently Mi." He whispered.
"Wh-why…why were you looking at me differently, Draco?"
He tipped her chin up gently, stroking her cheek. He leaned down quickly as if he were afraid she would run. He pressed his lips against hers in a gentle kiss. He pulled back for only a moment before wrapping his hand in her hair and pulling her against him. His lips mapped hers like he was trying to remember every curve and dip of her mouth. She sighed into him and put her hands on his neck to pull him closer. She needed him closer but his body was already pressed so tightly against hers, there was nowhere else to move.
When his tongue traced her bottom lip, she eagerly opened for him and when his tongue caressed her own, she whimpered into him. The groan that he returned was music to her ears. She wanted to swallow it and keep it forever. Hugging Draco felt like home. But kissing him? It was pure nirvana.