Rare Plants

Masquerade

-Cyrus Parker

She sips rose and I sip whiskey

And I can't help but think about

How perfectly that describes us;

Her, a slow, sweet burn, and me,

A little too much all at once

Rare Plants

'This was not a date. This was not a date. This was not a date.' The thought looped in Hermione's mind as they walked through the fireplace. It went on as they walked into the leaky cauldron and out of the leaky cauldron. She was so focused on not being nervous she didn't even protest as they walked down the alley and passed Gringotts.

Draco tried to have small talk, but all her progress was lost as she kept reminding herself this wasn't a date. She knew they had all been cramped into Grimmauld together for nearly a week, he probably just wanted a change of scenery. But then why only invite her?

She reminded herself that Taffy and Haze had probably long been asleep, it was so late. Diagon did look lovely at night though, only a few spaces open for evening dining and bar crawling. They could have eaten in the leaky cauldron right? Where were they going?

"I've been meaning to try this restaurant for a few weeks now, but didn't want to do it alone, hope you don't mind."

"It's fine, as long as they have plenty of water." Her attempted at lighthearted humor, it seemed to work because he chuckled.

"Right, I'm sure they do." He said and again silence. They walked down a road just after Gringotts and stopped before a dimly lit door, the frame was of a beautiful cherry oak wood door that was carved with the image of a single rose, its petals opened.

Thick green vines that Hermione swore might be related to the devil's snare family, climbed and curled around the door and a brass awning, with a swinging plaque that read [Blooming Rose Gardens]. Hermione looked over up at Draco and fought with the muscles around her eyes, hoping he wouldn't notice her shock. This wasn't a date… right?

"After you," he opened the door. She walked through the door immediately trying to smooth her hair down. She certainly was not dressed for such an establishment. As they entered the small receiving area, a female goblin stood on a raised platform behind a cherry wood podium.

"Welcome to Blooming Rose Gardens. We have several options of seating available; we do have seating for two on the second floor balcony, it is warmed for your comfort." She offered; her tone much more pleasant than Hermione was used to hearing from a goblin.

"That would be fine, thank you." Draco said. The goblin climbed down the steps behind the podium.

"Follow me," she gestured toward the staircase before them. Draco motioned for Hermione to lead. She couldn't help but look at him in a bit of disbelief. This was far too formal for getting a bite. As she walked passed him to follow the goblin, she could have sworn he was holding his breath. They climbed the stairs and circled into the room and a small gasp escaped her.

It was stunning. It was a cozy space that had about 6 tables, 4 of them in private balcony alcoves that overlooked Diagon alley just beyond Gringotts. Scattered about the room were soft glowing orbs that illuminated the space. As they approached one of the balcony alcoves Hermione couldn't keep her eyes off of a potted plant hovering just above the center of the table, she had never seen anything like it before. It looked like a miniature hybrid of devil's snare and a rose bush, except instead of a rose there was a single enlarged feathery rose that was blooming at its center. The thick vines curling and uncurling around it protectively. The petals resembled fine mesh with miniscule water droplets caught within the mesh threads.

"What's this plant called?" Hermione looked over to the goblin as she took her seat.

"Many guest inquire about this specimen. It was created and designed with this restaurant in mind. It called the Angel's Oasis. It is a relative of Devil's Snare, however it only blooms in the light of the moon. Much like their parent, they do not favor the light of the day. This specimen is much more subdued and gentle. It shall not interfere with your meal, if that is a concern?" Hermione shook her head.

"Not at all, I am just fascinated. It is quite beautiful. Thank you." Draco took the seat before her, having been silent up until now. The Goblin set down two menus.

"You're waiter will be with you momentarily. Thank you for your patronage." She walked away. Hermione continued to watch the thick vines circling in and about the beautiful feathery rose in the center. She had forgotten about the fact that she was sitting across from Draco Malfoy, in a very romantic restaurant, about to have dinner and completely forgot that this might be a date.

Instead, the gears in her mind were turning. The goblin said it bloomed in the light of the moonlight. This was not the first time she encountered a plant that reacted to the moon. She thought back to when she was collecting herbs and clipping in Hogwarts. There was another plant that she thought warranted further study because of its connection to the moon. It escaped her then as Draco cleared his throat.

"This is certainly different from what I expected. Did you want to go somewhere else?" he leaned on his elbows, shifting in his seat uncomfortably.

"No, no, it's fine." She waved him off trying to focus on her previous thought.

"Good, good, besides they should have water, but you'll need to wait for morning before you get your dose of sunlight." He said seeming to relax finally. Hermione wasn't sure what to make of this. Sure, she had gotten better at small talk and idle chatter with Draco, but an entire dinner with nothing to do but talk?

She knew she wouldn't make it. She'd need to look for ways to distract herself quickly. That's when her eyes caught the menu before her. She grabbed it and thanked the stars that she finally had something in place between them. She took the chance to react and dropped her jaw at the prices listed.

"Hello, my name is Prunkep, I will be your server this evening, would you care to start with refreshments?" a slightly taller goblin approached their table, she stood upon a platform that seemed to appear after they were seated. She looked at both of them comfortably at eye level. Hermione was pleased to see such thoughtful accommodation for their staff.

"I think we'll start with some water for now." Draco said, Hermione lowered her menu and caught a ghost of a grin on his face. She smiled.

"That would be lovely." She agreed. Prunkep didn't bother to jot down the simple request.

"Certainly. Now while any of the menu items are quite delicious might I recommend tonight's specialties?" They both nodded abandoning the menus. "We have a garlic and herb poultry medley with a house salad, a braised lamb with glaze carrots, and a seafood carbonara with a creamy steamed spinach side."

"Those sound excellent. I think I'd like the poultry medley." Hermione decided quickly finally realizing how hungry she was.

"I'll have the braised lamb, thank you." Draco said.

"Certainly. That will be right out." Prunkep stepped off the platform and made her way. Not long after, another goblin brought them a pitcher of water and two glasses. Draco served them both and Hermione quickly sipped at her cup. She looked out of the balcony then, appreciating the view of the alley at night.

She could feel Draco looking at her again, he had been doing that almost always now. Not thinking anything of it before, she thought maybe he just watched her work out of professional curiosity, so she was used to it.

Now it seemed out of place. Hermione tried to remember what they talked about the last time it wasn't work related and like alarm bells she gasped looking at him. Draco widened his eyes confused.

"What's wrong?"

"We have a bet!" she remembered suddenly. It had completely gone from her mind before since they visited Hogwarts.

"I had hoped you would have forgotten." He groaned. She gave a single 'Ha!' then.

"Me forget? I might not remember everything at every moment, but it's in here somewhere." She pointed at her head.

"Yeah, yeah, well what of it?" he sipped his water.

"I was right, Taffy hasn't given him the time of day."

"Yet." Draco tried to correct her, but she wasn't having it, she crossed her arm and tilted her head. He rolled his eyes in response.

"You and I both know they've barely spoken a word to each other." She commented.

"Fine, but we still have what? 4 days until the next full moon? It could still happen?"

"Oh, we'll see." She said proud of herself for thinking of a good topic. She hoped he would keep the ball rolling, which thankfully he did.

"If you ask me, he backed down too soon."

"What do you mean?"

"Well clearly she rejected him, but she is certainly curious about him."

"Well of course, he's quite unique, and we still know very little about his transformation. His samples are clearly distinctive to the others. I do think I brought his journal," she went to grab her travel bag and the sudden realization nearly smacked her in the face, she hadn't brought it with her. She always had it with her. How could she have left it behind, feeling almost naked she slumped back in her chair. Draco was looking at her curiously. "I didn't bring my bag." She stated the obvious.

"I noticed. It's ok. Usually, people don't bring their work with them on a da-dinner." He corrected himself. It was subtle but she caught it. Had he intended it as a date from the start. Her mind went through their day, no, their week, what had changed?

Last week he had called her beautiful, then in the same day he had said some awful things. He did apologize yes, but there was no indication that things had been anything but professional. He didn't let her linger within her thoughts long as he continued.

"Anyways, I don't mean she's curious about him being a werewolf. I know she's a Ravenclaw, but I think she's got a crush on him."

"A crush?" she asked in disbelief. "How can you even tell something like that?"

"Come on, they stare at each other all the time. Sure, he isn't teasing her anymore, but it's different now."

She considered blurting out the fact that he stared at her all the time also but became more aware of how he was looking at her now. He was staring into her eyes intently and hadn't bothered to appreciate their surroundings since they arrived. It felt like he was studying her, the same way she had studied the Angel's Oasis. She noticed then that he had slightly silver threads around his iris.

"Well, I guess, you're better at reading people then I am." She patted her lap idly starting to feel a bit anxious. She couldn't help but feel like this was a turning point, at any moment he would do something unexpected, like Neville had. She didn't want to look him in the eye in case it further encouraged him.

Hermione thought then how foolish she must be, it's not as if she hated Draco, nor did she feel the same about him as she did with Neville. He was her partner after all, and they had been working closely together so well. She couldn't deny that for the first time in years, she actually enjoyed the company of a man, but that was all.

"So, are you looking forward to the full moon, cause I'm dreading it." He took her out of her thoughts again.

"I suppose a bit of both." She couldn't help but wonder if Draco could read her mind because as she went into the full monologue of her thoughts on the study so far, he hadn't stopped her once. He didn't seem bored, nor did he try to change the topic. She continued even after their food arrived and through the rest of dinner. Hermione had completely forgotten that Draco Malfoy had in fact asked her out on a date.

"We really don't have time for this Malfoy." Hermione grumbled getting off the lifts.

"I'm figuring you out now," he said, "When you don't get your way you use my surname." He grabbed her by the shoulder turning and ushering her toward the bullpen.

"That's not true. I also call you by your surname when you're being a big baby!" she stomped into the office.

"Hey! You are the one who thought it was a good idea to levitate a heated cauldron. If you cause the injury, I get to react!"

"You should be so lucky to have a healer as a partner, you know?!" she scowled at him. He smiled at her. Draco knew the dangerous road he was walking now. He enjoyed their banter and their debates too much. Even through all that, Draco knew that she would never see him the same way, but he couldn't help but flirt with her or stare at her while she worked. It had been a downward spiral since the day he apologized to her. There were even times when he stood a bit too close to her just for the chance that she might bump into him. Sometimes she did.

"Why couldn't he just come see us? It's not as if he doesn't know what we are doing now." she grumbled as they got to his desk. The bullpen was pretty busy, there was some commotion in the holding area for a bit, but it had quieted down. The press room was prepping for a press release, which was pretty common. Aurors were scattered about the room, business as usual.

"Right, cause the Head Auror's job is to make house calls." Draco said grabbing a few things since he figured he might not be back until after the weekend. "We meet every Friday, Hermione, no exceptions."

"It's still weird to call him that. He's just Harry." She rolled her eyes. "Oh, let me get something from my desk quickly, then we can go." She headed to her desk.

Her desk was its usual mess, but what wasn't usual was a large black box wrapped in white ribbon with a note pointing toward the end of one side that read [pull me]. She looked around her, and with no one nearby, she shrugged her shoulders and tugged at the ribbon.

A few things happened then. First, the top flew off startling her back a few steps. Second, about a dozen glowing butterflies in soft blues and greens fluttered out of the box and began to circle her desk. Third, the box collapsed revealing a stunning Moly plant with its black stem and white iridescent petals. Fourth, a letter shot toward her and unraveled itself, like a howler but much less aggressive, and it began to recite:

"Dearest and fairest Hermione

Your eyes are a sea of honey

I could drown in the sweetness

And your smile is my weakness

Please accept this moly

For it blooms for thee

Forget me not

Cause I like you a lot

Don't be a stranger

I miss you Granger

Sincerely and hopefully your Valentine

-Neville Longbottom"

Hermione could have guessed that her face had turned a shade of an unknown red from the sheer embarrassment of the gesture. In the time it took for the howler to be activated until it ripped itself out of existence she had attracted the attention of several employees and aurors alike. The soft murmurs of 'Aww' and 'How sweet' echoed around her.

As she turned to those who gathered to appreciate the plant she noticed Draco walking away toward the conference room for their meeting. The embarrassment gone and replaced with another feeling she couldn't name, but she was certain her heart had dropped. She regretted not tending to this misunderstanding with Neville sooner.

*Where for art thou Granger?*

In the next episode, Hermione has come face to face with how she feels or doesn't. That doesn't matter right now, what matters is setting things straight with a certain Herbology Professor, now.