"What's your zodiac sign?" He asked.
Hermione's honey eyes looked up at him, mortified. "What?"
"What's you're zodiac sign, he repeated." His lips pursed in a thin line. He was aware he sounded ridiculous. This was the girl who stormed out of Divinity class, after all.
"I don't know. I hated Divinity and in extension, astronomy and astrology," she shrugged as she returned to her book. They were back at the cafe. Hermione was having her usual cappuccino and Draco his black coffee. It had been over three weeks since they had reconciled. He still had fond memories over the moments following his apologies.
"What's your birthday then? I'll figure it out for you," he pressed. Hermione had an incredulous look on her face, as if wondering why he won't shut up about it.
"What? My entire family is basically named after the stars. I grew up being curious about this stuff."
"I find it hard to believe that the Malfoy family sits down at the dinner table discussing zodiac signs," Hermione quirked an eyebrow at him.
"Come on, indulge me."
She huffed, "Fine. I was born on September 19."
"Your birthday has passed then. That also makes you a Virgo. I'm a Gemini," he said matter of factly.
"I don't really know what that means," said Hermione as she flipped through another page of her book.
He shrugged and dropped it. Some day, he'll take her out to his country home where the city lights don't pollute the sky. They would lay down on a blanket atop a hill and stare at the stars. He would point out the constellations to her, and teach her all about what he spent his hours learning as a kid. He used to be so fascinated by the universe beyond.
He had decided to begin reading his own book, and a few minutes went past before he had gotten restless.
"Granger," he started.
Without looking up from her reading she goes, "Draco?"
"Would you like to have dinner with me?" Finally her eyes met his. Whatever she felt about the question, he couldn't tell.
"Sure. Do you want to try that muggle Italian place I was telling you about?"
"No."
"Oh, ok. Well it was only a suggestion."
"I mean, no. I don't wanna stay in Muggle London."
"I never thought you had an issue with it until now," her expression has changed. It was now quizzical with a hint of skepticism.
"I don't," his eyes still not leaving her gaze, "I'd like to take you out for dinner in the wizarding world. As my date."
She continued to look into his eyes, probably searching it for hesitation. His outburst had not been completely forgotten. He's noticed that she's been more careful now, despite his promise not to lose it again. Not if it meant losing her. He knew this was a big ask, no one knew of the two of them together as they hadn't been seen in public outside of muggle London and their little muggle themed cafe.. It wasn't really frequented by anyone that would know them. Even then, they had only started sitting together, and in a corner tucked away from prying eyes. That's why Draco liked this place. He almost felt invisible, away from the judgemental eyes of wizards and witches who knew his family. Still, they have grown accustomed to ordering their drinks to go and return to Hermione's place. The only people who knew about them were people they trusted. His two friends; Blaise and Theo, the She-Weasel and Pansy.
She reached for his hand across the table, rubbed soft circles around the back of it and smiled, "I'd like that."
He took a breath in relief. He was half expecting her not to want to take this step with him. They had been more than intimate together. But it was always alone, in secret. They had stayed in their little bubble and neither wanted to burst it but Draco had contemplated it long and hard. He wanted her to be in his arm. He didn't want to hide her, he wasn't ashamed. He wanted to be the one to take this step, to make it right. And he had wanted people to know that she was spoken for. His.
Draco had never been a romantic boyfriend. He'd dated his fair share of girls at Hogwarts. None lasting longer than a couple weeks, and all just to further his sexual experience. Most girls knew what they were getting into with him but some expected more and would bitch about their disappointment when he would not do more. This irked him back then and he would swiftly end the relationship, not wanting to deal with the issues they brought up. After the war, he had a few one night stands, some girls were still fascinated with Malfoy gold despite the tainted reputation that came with it. They probably thought if they had slept with him, they would receive some priced present. Draco had always met them at a hotel or inn of some sort, leaving after the deed was done and instructing the concierge that his guest receive dinner if so desired. He never brought them back to his place. But here he was, planning their upcoming date night extensively in his head. He wanted to take her to Diagonal Alley, let her exhaust the both of them as she browsed for books. He'd carry them for her, though he was sure she was more than capable. He'd take her to a quiet spot in a restaurant his mother loved and find out what she liked and didn't. They'd get something sweet afterwards if she wanted, he's always had a sweet tooth and would gladly take her. Then he'd take her back to his place, and let her decide how the night would go. They've always spent time at her home, and he wanted her to be comfortable at his too.
"What are you smiling about?" His train of thought broke and he saw Hermione with a smile on her face, her expression light.
"Just thinking about taking you to the bookstore and let you ravage their stock," he grinned as he watched her eyes light up. He swears he could see her brain make a list of what she wanted to get.
"When?" She said, her voice a pitch higher.
"Before our dinner, whenever you're free."
"This Friday, after I'm done work?"
"It's a date."
She was almost bouncing off of her chair in giddy excitement.
"I should be hurt that you weren't this excited at the thought of dinner with me," he put his hand over his chest, in false pain.
She laughed and dragged him out of the cafe, "oh, stop it. We have to go anyways I don't want to be late for work."
Draco offered to escort her but she insisted she was perfectly capable of going by herself. He offered every time anyways, and every time, she would assert her independence. It was almost their form of goodbye. He left a kiss on her lips and the top of her head before she apparated away. It was probably a good idea to check on his company affairs anyway.
Friday Night 4:43 p.m.
Hermione was nervously glancing at the clock. 17 minutes, she thought. She's gotta get everything done in 17 minutes. She still had a small stack of paperwork to go through and Draco was picking her up at 5:30. She still had to get ready and she was internally freaking out. She was rushing through it, but not how an average person rushes; sloppy and inefficient. No, she was organized chaos. She was determined to finish it all as she did not like to procrastinate. She had finished by 5:06, not too bad she thought and she rushed home.
Draco had told her they were going to a high end restaurant that his mother liked, so she got a dress for the occasion. This will after all, be their first time being seen by people that would know them. She wanted perfection. She had her hair tamed in a half-up hairstyle, small curls framed her face. She put on delicate silver earrings, they were simple thin hoops. She slipped on her dress, a sage green slip with delicate ribbons that tied up to the back of her neck, forming a modest halter neckline. It had a simple elegance to it but flattered her all the same. It flung to the right parts of her body and flowed the rest of the way, it moved like liquid as she walked. She put on some shoes she had borrowed from Ginny. They were champagne in colour and had straps that criss crossed, reaching up to her calf. She looked ethereal, almost like a Grecian lady. She spritz a bit of perfume on her wrist and on her neck and glossed her lips with a cranberry shade. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror and she smiled, she looked stunning. And when Draco walked in the door, he almost stumbled back at the sight of her and he drew a breath and held it. His eyes said it all before he could breathe a word out. Still, she listened to him whisper his lyrical praises in her ear as he ran his hands down her waist to the curve of her hips. She giggled and kissed her handsome man. He looked striking in his pine coloured button up, it fit tightly around his biceps and enunciated his form. He wore black trousers and had a silver chain around his neck. His black cashmere coat was tailored perfectly on him and his hair was styled up but with a few strands falling down his forehead. He looked effortlessly sophisticated.
Draco helped Hermione into her long warm ivory coat that almost matched the colour of her shoes. He offered up his arm and Hermione took it as they apparated to Flourish and Blotts.
He opened the door for her and gestured for her to go first. She never had to open her own door around him. He was a classic gentleman.
"So, which section are you looking to devastate first?" He smirked.
"Poetry," she grinned.
They browsed and browsed through the shelves, Draco with a soft smile on his face as he watched endearingly while Hermione put book after book on the growing stack in his arms. The states and whispers of fellow shoppers were not lost to her, however, she chose to ignore them.
When Draco had glanced unsettlingly at an old couple who whispered, "scandal," too loudly, she gently touched his arm. His eyes met hers, and she smiled at him, kissing his cheek lightly. This seemed to reassure him and Hermione proclaimed she was finally done. Draco carried her books to the clerk and Hermione reached for her purse to pay. Draco's hand firmly locked hers in place as he stared her down.
"Granger." He merely said.
"Draco, I'm perfectly capable of paying for my own books," she stared back.
"I know, but let me," she opened her mouth to assert her independence once more.
"Please," he said before she could even form a syllable.
"Dra-" it was too late. He had already handed the clerk money and smirked as she huffed in annoyance and muttered a thank you. Hermione went on ranting about how it really wasn't necessary and Draco let her ramble on.
They walked the short distance to the restaurant and she felt more eyes on them than ever. She squeezed his hand and moved closer to him. He looked at her and smiled, he didn't seem worried anymore. The walked in the restaurant and a young witch greeted them at the door.
"Good evening! May I take the name for the reservation?" she politely asked.
"Draco. Draco Malfoy," Draco responded.
The hostess visibly recoiled upon the mention of his name and eyed Hermione warily. "Right this way Mr. Malfoy," she paused and said, "Ms. Granger."
She led them through the entirety of the restaurant. Heads turned as Hermione and Draco walked past, she could feel stares drilling holes through her as they walked past table after table. The walk couldn't have been more than a few seconds but it felt like it had gone on forever. Finally, the hostess stopped at a booth situated in a more private part of the restaurant and excused herself. Draco helped Hermione out of her coat before shedding his own. Hermione observed the restaurant and it indeed had a nice ambiance to it. The lights were dimmed and violins floated in the air playing instrumental music. The tables had wide spaces apart, giving them a wide birth from the next diners. Once she finished looking around, she shifted her gaze back to Draco, who was keenly observing her.
"Penny for your thoughts?" She smiled, trying to keep the mood light.
His expression was stoic and unreadable, he did not smile back, "any regrets?"
She frowned, "why would I?" She laid her arm across the table, her palm outstretched.
"People are staring at you uncomfortably. The Golden girl with the criminal," his voice was low and detached. He had looked away.
"No regrets. Not ever with you," she kept her gaze on him, willing him to meet her eyes. When his silver eyes finally bore on hers, she smiled. "It's just you and me."
He kept his gaze for a few more seconds, took her hand and kissed the back of it, "I don't deserve you. You deserve the world."
She sighed at the contact, "so do you, Draco."
Their intimate moment was interrupted by the approaching waitress. She greeted them warmly and didn't seem perturbed by their pairing. She asked for their drink order to which Draco had ordered a drink Hermione had never heard of. Hermione went for a gin martini, extra dirty. Draco eyed her with a playful smirk as she ordered, she was surprised he was able to contain himself until the waitress walked away.
"Extra dirty, huh?" he raised his eyebrow suggestively.
She leaned into the table, resting her cheek on her palm, "exactly how I like it."
Draco's eyes glinted, "you'll eat your words, Granger. By the time I'm done with you, you'll be ripping out the dictionary rewriting what dirty really means."
"Is that a promise?" She countered
"Granger, you better be able to take what you're dealing out. The images I have of you in my head, Merlin, they'll finally lock me up in Azkaban. Do you want me to describe it you, Granger?"
Hermione spotted their waitress walking towards them with a tray of their drinks. She kicked his foot and shushed him, he groaned.
"Why didn't we just skip dinner?" he whined.
"Because I'm a respectable woman, and you wanted to take me out to dinner," she reminded.
"I've got your martini Ms. Granger," the waitress piped up, "and your Vieux Carré, Mr. Malfoy."
Hermione thanked the waitress and they placed their appetizer orders.
"Coquille St. Jacques for me please," Hermione said.
"and a foiegras for me," Draco added. The waitress nodded and walked away.
"Liver huh?" Hermione noted.
"Didn't you hear? Big bad Death Eaters like me only eat hearts and livers," he joked.
"Is that why you've got my heart on a silver platter?" She quipped.
"I'll earn it, Hermione," he said softly. No indication of humour was on his face, he meant it.
You already are earning it. Hermione thought, but she didn't want to give in too easily again. If she had learnt anything from their fight, it was to go slow and take it day by day.
"This is unrelated to earning your affections, I'm not trying to buy them but I wanted to give you something tonight," Draco paused as he reached for something in his pocket. He pulled out a square navy velvet lined box, "I meant to give it to you in your house but I was obviously distracted by someone breathtaking." He opened the box up to show a golden chain necklace. In the middle of it was a dainty English rose. Hermione. It was simple and not gauche, just how she liked her jewelry.
"I commissioned it, I thought about how beautiful it would look around your neck," he pulled it out and said, "may I?"
She nodded as she removed her silver hoops, still unable to form the words to thank Draco. She edged to the end of the booth and swept her hair away from the back of her neck as Draco's cool hand fastened the necklace. When Draco returned to his seat, she touched the rose and whispered, "I don't know what to say. It's lovely. Thank you, Draco."
His lips curved to a genuine smile, his eyes softening, "I'm glad you like it."
They spent the rest of their dinner talking about anything and everything. Draco had revealed himself to be a wine snob as he scoffed at Hermione's choice of accompaniment for her dinner. It's as if she committed a crime when she ordered a glass of moscato with her salmon. He turned up his nose at the measly price of the wine and the sweetness of it. He continued to chastise her as they ate dinner. Going on abut drinking real wine and pointing out that her past choice of strawberry wine was not acceptable either. To which Hermione responded, had been acceptable enough to lure Draco into her home.
Hermione hadn't felt happier in a long time. Tonight with Draco felt freeing. They were just a normal couple on a date, laughing. And they were maybe, just maybe, falling for each other. Each genuine smile and laugh from Draco tipped her closer to the edge of the cliff and she didn't know how much further she had before she fell into the depths.
After they had finished dinner, Draco thanked the waitress and left her a hefty tip. He then suggested dessert and the giddy look in his eyes kept Hermione from saying no, despite her full stomach. She let him pick the place as she did not care either way. They had stopped at a dessert shoppe that sold apple cinnamon tarts. Draco ordered a dozen while Hermione settled for a small box of macarons.
They decided to walk to Draco's apartment which was only about a fifteen minute distance away. Hermione leaned close to Draco, feeling the slight chill. He tilted his face towards her, and brushed her lips, "you're cold."
"A bit, I'll cast a warming charm," she said as she reached for her wand.
Draco was faster, he'd taken off his cashmere coat and draped it on her shoulders. She smiled up at him, it was a simple gesture but she suddenly felt like one of the girls she watched in muggle romance movies. Everything about this night felt dreamy, even the way that he was looking at her right now. His gaze was always so intense, like it could burn a hole through and set her soul on fire. She lifted herself up on her tip toes, held his bicep for support and titled her chin towards him. He smiled, and leaned down to place a soft kiss on her lips. She deepened it and held him there for a few more seconds, then she pulled away. They walked together until they reached Draco's doorstep.
He opened the door for her and she sat on the bench by his doorway. She crossed her leg and reached to take off her shoe. Draco bent down on one knee and her heart skipped several beats.
"Let me," he said.
Hermione let out a weak "okay."
Draco's fingers brushed against her calf and proceeded to gently remove her heel, then he set to work to remove the other one. He placed them gently on his shoe rack before working on removing his own.
"God, Draco that smells awful," she joked as he slipped off his black leather Oxford.
"Malfoys don't have a smelly bone in their body," he retorted.
"Maybe not a bone, but definitely a foot," she teased.
"Take that back, you liar."
"Or what?" she smirked. His feet did not smell bad, the only scent wafting in her nose was bergamot and peppermint but she enjoyed teasing him. It was payback for all those years at Hogwarts.
His eyes darkened slightly, "or I won't let you have an orgasm tonight."
Her mouth twitched into a smirk, "so same old?"
His mouth was agape, and he grabbed the back of her neck, looking down at her, "say that again."
Hermione just grinned.
She was infuriatingly irresistible.
Draco seized her lips with his own and pushed her against the wall. He lifted her thigh and wrapped one around himself, her silky dress bunching up at her hips. He ran his hand along it until his fingers felt lace. He groaned into her ear and let his fingers wander underneath her dress. She moaned when his fingers felt the curves of her breasts, her nipples hard with arousal and poking through the fabric. Draco flipped her around so that her heaving chest was flat against the wall. He kissed the nape of her neck and pulled on the delicate strings that held the dress in place. With one pull, the dress fell to her feet, leaving Hermione in her knickers. Slytherin green lace adorned her hips. Draco fell to his knees and kissed along her back, and the soft curve of her arse, his hands gripped her hips and thighs. He wanted to worship every inch of her, and he wanted to do it now. He mentally cursed himself for not having the hindsight of doing this in his bedroom, instead of the hallway. He rotated her again to face him, and looked into her eyes as he slowly pulled down the delicate fabric that covered the last bit of her. He kissed around her thigh, purposely avoiding what she wanted him to kiss. Teasingly.
"Draco," she groaned.
"What was that?" He whispered, his breath ghosting above her clit. "Beg for me, Granger."
"I'll do whatever you want, please Draco," she whimpered.
"Good girl," Draco lifted her leg and draped it on his shoulder as he went for his dessert. Hermione was wet already as he kissed and licked her. He studied her response, observing when she moaned and when her body would twitch in approval. He didn't stop until her body shuddered and shook. Her hand gripped the wall and the other, Draco's hair. She tried to move her hand from the wall to cover her mouth but Draco grabbed it and pinned it in place. He didn't want to muffle her moans, he wanted her to scream for him.
"God. I'm so close, keep going," a shaky breath slipped from her lips.
"Oh Draco, yes! Yes I'm gonna-" a high pitched moan escaped her throat as she went limp in Draco's hands. Draco licked his lips as he pulled away from her, and picked her up in his arms. He kicked open his bedroom door and dropped her on the bed. He ripped the buttons of his shirt, not caring for the damage.
"My turn."
He let Hermione's still shaking fingers unbuckle his belt and he pulled down his trousers. Hermione's lips wrapped around him as her tongue caressed his length. He groaned in pleasure but he needed to be inside her now. He grabbed Hermione's jaw and kissed her roughly as he positioned himself onto her entrance. He wasn't gentle this time. Hermione gasped as he thrust into her. He pounded and thrust hard, encouraged by the delightful sounds coming out of her. She raked her nails along his back as she begged for more. Harder. Faster. He flipped her to her knees and took her from behind. His chin resting on her shoulders, kissing her neck. He then grabbed her thick heap of curls with one hand and pulled her hair as he drove into her unforgivingly. Hermione's moans and screams grew louder. He dug his fingers into her hip as he felt her tighten around him.
"Oh my god, Draco," she moaned "I'm about to come again."
A devilish thought popped in his head as he pulled out of her and back in, agonizingly slow, and he pulled back out. She whimpered at the loss of contact. "What was that, Granger? Did you say you were gonna come. Again?"
She groaned again. "Malfoy."
"Tell me what you want, Granger."
She tilted her head sideways and glared at him.
"Tell me Granger."
Her eyes were unbelievably dark, almost black, "I want you to fuck me, Draco Malfoy."
It was his turn to groan as he shoved back in her. After a few more thrusts, Hermione's body began to shake, and her moans ascended in pitch.
"Fuck, Draco. Fuck," she screamed as she grew tight and spawned around him. This sent Draco to the edge as he let out a growl at his release. He fell on top of her, breathing into her ear until his heart slowed. Her wrapped his arms around her and sighed, "you're incredible, Granger."
Hermione laid her head on Draco's chest and he held here there until her breathing grew even. He kissed the top of her head and admired her as she slept. He silently thanked the stars in every galaxy that she had given him another chance. He would have prayed to whatever divinity existed to stay in this moment. It was perfect. They were perfect, he thought. They had been written in the stars. It was just Astronomy.
