"10 questions," he said through the receiver.
"Why should I play this dumb game with a stranger?" she asked in annoyance.
"That's 1 question. You called me. What's your name?"
"You don't need to know my name. I accidentally called the wrong number. I apologized."
"It's 3 a.m., you woke me up, and I can't go back to sleep," he replied. "What's your name?"
"Why does it matter?"
"That's 2 questions. What's your name?" he asked again.
"Hermione."
"That's very unique, Hermione. What is it that you do?"
"Why are you asking me that question?" she asked in return.
"That's 3 questions. I asked because you're fully awake at 3 in the morning calling wrong numbers and waking up strangers."
"Still in uni. A student. I was working on a group project. It needs last minute touch up before we give an oral presentation later. What's your name?"
"That's 4 questions. Tom."
"That's a plain name," she replied.
"Do you prefer coffee or tea?"
"Coffee. I stay up rather late, as you can tell. What do you do for a living?"
"A student in uni and part-time librarian," he answered.
"That's interesting."
"I love books. How about you?"
"That's 4 questions. Have been reading since I can remember but haven't had much time because of uni."
He sighed over the phone. "I'm in the same predicament. What's your favorite book?"
"Hmm, it depends on my mood. There's one I always pick up every time I get back into reading. Persuasion by Jane Austen."
"I see."
"And you?"
"Question 5. The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway," he replied. "It's very bittersweet. Have you read it?"
"That's 6 questions. No, I haven't. What types of book do you read?"
"Question 6. I prefer fiction. Classics. Not those modern fantasy."
"And you?" she asked.
"That's 7. The same."
"Aren't you sleepy yet?" she whined, more than asked.
"7. Yes, but the company is worth staying up. What's the best part of uni?"
"That's 8. That it's my final year. What do you plan on doing after uni?"
"8," he sighed. "Like everyone else. Find a career, buy a house, find a wife, and have children."
"Typical."
"If my answer is so typical, then what about you?"
"You have one more question," she replied. "I would love to find something I love to do so it's not a job or a task. Travel, would love to see what the world has to offer. Learn and explore. Meet people that's well versed."
"Typical daydreamer," he clicked his tongue.
"Like yours is any better."
"It's more realistic than yours."
"Are we living back in the 50s?" she retorted.
"Ha! That's your ninth question. No, but we are in a new century. Would you like to go on a date?"
"I don't even know you."
"I believe we were doing just that."
"How do I know you're not some crazy person or a serial killer?"
"Because I'm in your class. I told Malfoy to slip my number to you. He's your group mate," he answered.
"You planned this?"
"You already used your last question, but to answer it, yes. Well, I didn't plan for you to call me at 3 a.m."
"Do you have his number?" she asked.
"He's asleep."
Annoyed, she huffed under her breath. "How would you know?"
"He's my flatmate. Don't worry, I haven't maimed or killed him. You still haven't answered my question."
"I don't know you."
"That's the point of the date, we get to know each other. Let's meet for coffee before class."
"I'll be busy since my group mate didn't give me his number," she replied, still annoyed at him for concocting such a plan.
"I'll wake Malfoy and you two can finish up," he replied.
She could hear something scratching the mic. There was a bit of struggling from the other end and moving about.
"Malfoy," he said, followed by knocking. "Malfoy, open up. Wake up," he said louder, then a thump on the door. "Malfoy."
She heard muffling sounds and mumbles. There was a low grumble.
"He has your number and will call you. Coffee at the café across the library around 9?"
She heard a beep. There was another call coming in. "Fine. I'll see you then. I have another call."
"Goodnight Hermione, technically, morning," he chuckled.
"Goodnight Tom."
end.