When six-thirty in the evening came the next day, Hermione was ready. She had decided to dress conservatively, so she wore a black blouse with short sleeves and a black skirt, which fell to her ankles, a simple and stylish combination. She would have gladly worn robes, but they were all too short for her. Her hair was let loose, rather short but very neat. In her hand she held the acacia. She was not quite sure what the flower symbolised, so she decided to ask Draco.
At precisely 6:45, the same owl flew in with an envelope. Hermione took it and opened it. She found only a silver key inside, and knew that it was the portkey. She grasped it tightly, and was soon on her way to the meeting place. "So much the easier than Floo powder," she thought. Just then, she arrived. Hermione stumbled, but suddenly realised that a pair of arms were supporting her. Her senses suddenly informed her that Draco Malfoy was holding her, and she hurriedly stood up and tidied herself. "Good evening, Miss Granger," he said, with a small smirk on his face. Hermione was not about to be ruffled by him. "Good evening, Mr Malfoy." She then looked around. They were in a small restaurant. It was smaller than what she expected but was still considered posh. As they walked to their table, she also realised that there were house-elves working. There were not that many people, and Hermione suspected that there was a shield over the place to withstand dark magic.
Draco pushed her chair in for her after she sat down, and went to the opposite side. After ordering their food, they sat looking everywhere but at each other. After pondering for a short while, it occurred to Hermione that the situation was uncannily like as in 'Pride and Prejudice', but she hurriedly dismissed it. In the novel, Elizabeth Bennett and Mr Darcy had fallen in love with each other, and she was determined not to attempt anything so ludicrous. Realising that she was still holding the acacia flower in her hand, she placed it on the table. Draco eyed it for a while, but chose not to make any comments. He seemed as though he did not wish to get to know her better.
During the meal, they made small, formal talk, hiding what they truly wished to ask and know. It was rather strained during the meal, (Hermione's guess was proven correct) but at the end was truly the time when they actually spoke something that had not been rehearsed time and time again in the mind.
After wiping her mouth with her napkin, Hermione picked up the acacia and spoke. "I had no idea that people gave flowers for a first meeting." Draco smirked and answered, "It is a form of courtesy in noble families." "I realise that different blooms have different meanings. What would be this one's?" questioned Hermione, her curiosity getting the better of her. "It is a flower with a meaning milder than most, and conveys friendship." "Something that you wish for and have never found?" mused Hermione aloud. She knew only too well the pain and loneliness with no friends. It had been difficult to mix around with other people. Draco looked at her and nodded. He did not have to explain. "In life, there are different types of people that one meets: mostly acquaintances and friends," was all he said.
Hermione forgot the obnoxious boy of Hogwarts, and focused on the lost waif sitting before her, sprouting eloquent words but in truth asking for help. Somehow, in her mind, a mind that rarely could ever trust other people trusted him for no reason she could think of. She reached out and touched his hand lightly, and uttered one word. "Yes."
Just as Draco looked at her and smiled genuinely, a group of people came out of the fireplace. The two turned their heads, and Hermione gasped. The whole group were redheaded, except for two with black hair.
The group sat down at another table, and seemed not to notice the couple. Draco and Hermione decided to go quickly, but just as they rose from the table, a voice stopped them. "Hermione? What are you doing here?" She looked at the speaker and realised that it was Ron. Harry and Cho were also there. "Ron! Harry! How nice to see you again after so long!" She exclaimed. She exchanged greetings with the others, Draco unnoticed by them. But the happy atmosphere was not to last for long. Mrs. Weasley spoke, "We heard about you. It was sad, but you should not have taken their wands."
Hermione stopped short. "I'm sorry Mrs. Weasley, but I did not steal the wands." "Oh, come on Hermione, admit it. It was your fault," Ron said. "That's true. You were never one to find loopholes to save yourself from the consequences," Harry too spoke up. Hermione, almost boiling with rage, scanned the table. Only Ginny and Cho looked worried and as if they knew she was innocent. "I thought that my friends would at least believe me, but I was wrong." She was about to rant some more, but Draco pulled her away. Ron shouted after them in anger. "You've even got a Death Eater boyfriend!" Hermione wrenched her arm from Draco and slapped Ron. "You weren't even there when I was in trouble!" she screamed. Then she was grabbed and thrust out of the door. Draco was in no mood to be taunted by Ron or Harry.
"Stop struggling Hermione! You'll do no good by going in there." "Shut up, Draco!" "They're just a bunch of gits, Hermione." "Well, you're no better, Death Eater!" retorted Hermione. The next moment, she found herself pinned to the wall, Draco dangerously close to her. "Do. Not. Call. Me. That." He hissed. Hermione was afraid for a moment, and stopped screaming at him, but she spoke. "But that's what you are!"
Draco stared at her in anger. "Unfortunately, that's not what I want to be!" Hermione looked into his eyes and calmed down. She could almost swear to see something that looked like pain, desperation even through his rage, in those pools of greyish-silver. He loosened his grip on her, and saw in her eyes something that he had forgotten. Was it pity or sympathy? But no, it was stronger. Draco could not place it. It was a feeling he had probably not expressed or seen in recent years. Somehow he could not tear himself away from her honey-brown eyes, so full of feeling that he had not experienced… An owl hooted from far off. Draco and Hermione blinked and looked away. The spell had been broken.
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Hermione's POV
I am now back home, but why so I keep thinking of Draco? Damn, he should be Malfoy, not Draco. He is, after all, a Death Eater, no matter what he says and does. One the other hand, he is the only person that I have truly met since I ran away. It sounds so cowardly, but I had no choice. Probably that is the only reason why I think of him. Yes, the fact that he invited me to dinner today. Nothing more and nothing less. I will forget soon, no doubt, and continue with my normal life. However my humble flat fades away, and my mind keeps reminding me of his eyes. Those eyes…reflecting my own feelings at times. I wonder if what he has said is true, whether he truly does not want to be a Death Eater. He is so different from before, so…nice. Oh, and he called me by name! What am I thinking? This is not the time to be romantic!
Draco's POV
How lucky that Voldemort hasn't called me whatsoever today. I don't think I could stand to look at his face one more time. Also, that Hermione, no, Granger…she's been plaguing my mind. Maybe it's because I invited her for dinner. It's perculiar. Even though the mansion is still so cold, I feel warmer than before. I certainly hope it's because Mother succeeded in that radiator spell she was working on. I wonder if Granger has created any new spells…it's possible, but I don't think so. Why am I thinking of her? It's not healthy to think of a non-pureblood for so long. There's nothing interesting about Hermione. Except maybe her eyes…I wonder how she was feeling this evening. Why do I care? I can't be so foolish!
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A/n: I completely apologise for the Harry/Ron bashing, but it is essential for the plot. You have to understand after so long, they don't really know Hermione anymore. I don't like doing that to Ron and Harry…maybe I'll make them understand later. Ginny and Cho are very important…
Oh, and the answer to Lyra's question: they were sort of sad when Hermione got expelled, but…they didn't really care much. They had girlfriends to occupy their time.
Thanks to all who reviewed, to kristina, and especially Alanna Roseguard and Lyra, for reviewing each chapter. Understand please, dear reviewers that this is my first fic, so I'm feeling apprehensive about it. You're all so important!