Okay here it is chapter four and I need you help so don't for get to
review.
Chapter 4 - Dinner with Draco
The meeting with her parents was uncomfortable for Hermione, but her parents were just relieved she was back. There was no yelling or grounding, there was a lot of tears from her mother and lots of questions, questions Hermione didn't want to answer. She told them about Draco, but she couldn't tell them about those men, she didn't know how. All she said was that she had a 'friend' in Venice and stayed the night and morning with him. Her parents seemed content with that and neither of them took it further.
Hermione didn't go back to Draco's hotel, she never saw him again for at least another week. She spent the week around Venice with her parents, they asked to see this 'friend' of hers, but Hermione never obliged. She was always thinking about him, though, why had he come to see her? It was an edgy week between her an her parents. Hermione found Flinders Cabin and sent Harry and Ron an owl. They were both at Sirius and Harry's place in Godric's Hollow. Peter Pettigrew had been caught and was in Azkaban, all charges on Sirius had been dropped and he never got in trouble for being an unregistered animagi either, the ministry thought he'd been through enough. Sirius was working to become an Auror and doing very well. Hermione found Hedwig on her window sill waiting for her to get out of the shower.
"Hi, Hedwig. Do you have Harry's reply?"
Hedwig ruffled his feathers to show his annoyance at have to wait for her and stuck out his foot with a letter attached to it. Hermione untied it and went to fetch some water for Hedwig. Once Hedwig was happy, she read the letter, which was written in Ron's unmistakable, messy handwriting.
Hi 'Mione, Hows Venice? Doesn't sound so great to me, not with Malfoy hanging around anyway. I know you said he saved your life or something but he has a lot to make up for, this is just the beginning! On to better news, Lupin is here he is just as cool as ever and we are having the best time, Harry and I have asked Sirius and Lupin to help us to become animagi, you should think about doing it too. Wouldn't it be cool!!! Harry's decided on a stag, coz of his dad, but I'm still thinking. What do you reckon? Anyway Harry's calling me outside, he's trying to teach Sirius how to fly again (on brooms) and its so funny, yesterday he was stuck up in a tree for hours. Gotta go
From Ron
Me Too!!!
Harry's handwriting was beneath Ron's all he wrote was Me too!!! Like he couldn't believe Ron never signed his name as well. Hermione smiled and sat down to write a reply.
Dear Ron, Harry, Sirius and Professor Lupin.
Believe it or not, Venice is getting better. I haven't seen Malfoy in a week and I wouldn't have minded if I saw him yesterday. (he's not that bad!)
Hermione stopped and read over the letter, 'not that bad', I don't think Ron would appreciate that much. She crumpled up her piece of paper and threw it in the trash. She took another piece and started again.
Dear Ron, Harry, Sirius and Lupin.
Venice is getting better. Mum and dad are cool about everything and the city is really beautiful. Even so, I can't wait to come home and I really wish I was there with you guys. Sirius riding a broom, that'd be a laugh and a half (no offence Sirius) Flinders Cabin is so cool, its like a shopping centre (Harry you explain it to them) there's an owlery, a public library (my personal favourite), a really cool Quidditch store (which is really saying something since Quidditch is your thing) and joke shops, sweet shops, pets shops, restaurants and heaps more. But my parents prefer the muggle stores, so we usually stick to them. Hedwig's getting impatient and threatening to leave without this letter so I better leave it here. Love you heaps. Hermione. XXXOOO
Hermione looked over the letter and was satisfied. She tied it to Hedwig and the owl flew out the window without acknowledging her. She suspected Hedwig didn't like her very much.
The door opened with a creak and Hermione's father came in smiling. "Do you want to go out for dinner tonight, honey?" he said.
"Um," Hermione thought, "Yeah, I'd like that." She said, smiling back at him.
"We could invite that friend of yours, we haven't met him yet." He said, Hermione's parents had been asking about Draco all week and she was beginning to wish she never mentioned him to them.
"I don't think so, dad, he's busy." Hermione lied, she was running out of reasons why he was busy. Though, the last few days she'd been wondering about Draco, his father was due to see him this week and she was beginning to worry. Maybe she should invite him. After a minute of thought, she added, "But, I can ask him anyway."
Hermione's father's face glowed at these six simple words, "fabulous! We'll ring him."
"No, dad. I'll go around there, he doesn't have much experience with telephones."
"Oh, right," he tapped the side of his nose, knowledgably, "I always forget about your friends."
Hermione smiled and strolled out of the room, "I'll be back in a half an hour, with or without him, ok?" she called back to her father, whom she knew was planning to accompany her. She thought it would be better to go without him.
"Ah, Hermione," he started, but she was already gone.
~~~***~~~
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Draco looked at the door. "I don't need anything!" he called, rather rudely through the door, thinking the person outside was a muggle house cleaner.
"Not even dinner?" The voice that called back was familiar and very unexpected. He opened the door to an amused, smug looking Hermione.
"Granger," he said, calmly.
"Mum and dad have been bugging me about my 'friend,' that I spend Wednesday night with, that's you," she said, as if he didn't know, "and I finally agreed to ask you to dinner, so they'll leave me alone. So, what do you say?" She smiled.
"Dinner with muggles?" he said looking a tinge repulsed, "I dunno, Hermione. I don't like them very much."
Hermione smirked, "it'll stir your father up."
"Okay," Draco smirked back at her. "But no friendly, buddy-buddy stuff at Hogwarts, right?"
Hermione was stung but she didn't show it, "wouldn't dream of it" she said quietly.
They walked silently down the corridor, Hermione stepped into the elevator first. "Malfoy, has-" she stopped, two middle-aged muggles had stepped into the elevator with them, the ride down was silent.
"What were you going to say, back in the elevator?" Draco asked once they were in the street.
"Oh, just, has your father come back, yet?" she looked at her feet, as if she knew she shouldn't ask him.
"Nah, he's making me sweat a bit, always does." Draco replied, "Thing is, I don't think about it anymore, they'll knock me around a bit, but they won't kill me until the last minute and I still refuse. I don't worry about it, I've learned to block out the pain."
Hermione was silent.
"Let's not talk about it. So, what did Potter say when you told him about me? I assume you told him?" Draco smirked, successfully changing the subject.
"Harry didn't write back, Ron did. He wasn't happy, he reckons you're indebted to us anyway, said that you're just beginning to pay us back, by saving my butt." Hermione smiled.
"Uh huh, Weasel's got another thing coming then." He smirked at the thought, "where's dinner going to be then?"
"Dunno, I'll take you back to the hotel and we'll all go from there."
"Mmm," Draco sighed.
Dinner was at a nice Italian restaurant down the street. Mrs Granger and Hermione sat first, then Draco and Mr Granger. Despite his hatred for all at the table, Draco was very polite and pleased Hermione's parents very much, well, her mother anyway. He pulled Hermione's chair out for her and she sat. He wouldn't allow Hermione to pour her own water and he wouldn't eat until Hermione and Mrs Granger had taken their first bite.
Draco scanned the menu and chose what he wanted, "are we ready to order?" he asked, glancing around the table.
"Mum? Dad?" Hermione looked to her parents and they nodded. "Then, I guess we are."
"What are you having?" Draco asked Hermione.
"Um, the cabonara with fettuccine,"
Draco nodded, "any drinks?"
"Just a lemonade." She replied.
Draco raised his hand in the air, "waiter" he called, and a waiter came immediately. "We are ready to order." He watched as the waiter took out a pad and a pen, "The lady," he said, gesturing towards Hermione, "will have the Fettuccine Carbonara and a lemonade." He waited for the waiter to finish writing before continuing, "I will have a coke and a spaghetti bolognaise." Draco looked to Mr Granger and he ordered, Mrs Granger had to order for herself.
He waited politely as Hermione fiddled with her napkin, eventually Draco graciously took it from her and fixed it himself. They ate in silence, each enjoying their meals.
When Hermione was done, she stood and Draco immediately stood too. "Draco, what are you standing for?"
"It's polite," he said simply.
"Hmm, excuse me, I need to use the bathroom." Hermione said and glanced, very puzzled, at Draco. Draco stood until Hermione was out of sight, then sat down to finish his meal.
"You were brought up well, Draco, very polite, old fashioned, Hmm?" Mr Granger, tried to make conversation.
"My mother and father are very strict," Draco said, there was no expression on his face.
"You know Hermione from school?" Mrs Granger asked politely.
"Yes, ma'am, Hermione is in some of my classes," Draco smiled, "Though, we are in different houses and differ in our opinions of Quidditch and such. Hermione is my only academic competition there, we are constantly trying to surpass each other in tests and assignments."
"And who wins?" Mr Granger smiled.
A stern glance from Mrs Granger and a sharp kick under the table retracted this question and Draco didn't have to answer. Hermione returned and smiled at Draco as he stood once again, to pull her seat out allowing her to sit.
"Shall we order dessert?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, okay, love." Mr Granger, glanced over his shoulder to find the Dessert stand. They all stood, Draco pulled Hermione chair out again and they headed for the dessert stand. They all chose and Draco was left to order for them.
"He's lovely, honey." Mrs Granger said to Hermione while they were alone.
"I don't like him, he's too- polite!" Mr Granger grumbled.
"How is that bad, daddy?" Hermione asked sweetly.
"Ulterior motives." He said plainly. Hermione didn't ask what ulterior motives he was talking about, she wasn't sure she wanted to know.
"Oh, don't listen to him, he just doesn't want to share you with another man." Mrs Granger waved her hand at Mr Granger as she said this.
"But what about Harry and Ron, dad, doesn't have a problem with them. What so different about Draco?" Hermione has some idea what her father and mother thought and she was going to correct them.
"He's your boyfriend, isn't he!" Mrs Granger said, this was statement not a question.
"No, mum, he's not!" Hermione sounded horrified.
"Well, he wants to be," Mrs Granger smiled, "I can tell!"
Mr Granger just growled.
Draco had returned by this time and it was discussed no further. The rest of the idle dinner chatter was just about Draco's family, most of what Draco said were lies and Hermione knew this. The Malfoy family situation was not very pleasant, so Draco made it sound all happy and lovey-dovey.
After dinner, they all walked back to the hotel. Hermione and Draco hung back, letting Hermione's parents walk about twenty metres ahead of them.
"So, did you have fun?" Hermione asked him.
"Yeah, kinda, in a weird way." Draco smirked.
"Mum likes you," Hermione smiled, "Dad thinks you have ulterior motives."
"Yeah, maybe I do." Draco's expression didn't change.
"Huh?" Hermione stared at him, dumbfounded.
"Stop," Draco said, pulling her back. He turned to face her, the street was almost empty and her parents were far enough away. Draco gently stroked her cheek with the back for his hand, he moved his hand back, tracing her hairline and cupping her head, just above her neck. She moved willingly as he pulled her close. Their lips gently touched and they looked into each others eyes before sharing their first tender kiss. Hermione let herself fall into him, she melted under his touch and she didn't mind one bit. His lips were warm and moist, she lightly touched his elbow. She gently caressed his arm, moving her hand from his elbow to his shoulder and back down again. She gripped his upper arm, for a second, as he deepened the kiss, but quickly wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. Draco suddenly pulled away, causing Hermione to lose her balance and fall into him, but he caught her easily.
"Hmph!" Mr Granger growled, "excuse me, I don't mean to interrupt, but get your hands of my daughter!"
"Honey!" This was Mrs Granger coming to the rescue, "come on, leave them alone."
"Over my dead body! I told you he had ulterior motives, didn't I tell you?" he roared, attracting the attention of passer bys.
By this time Hermione had stepped in front of Draco and was telling her father to stop over reacting.
"You're making a scene, Dad!" Hermione pleaded. Mrs Granger pulled Mr Granger away, still growling, and they continued walking.
"Sorry," Hermione said turning to Draco again.
"No, I'm sorry," Draco took a step back. "I'll see you later, okay?"
"Wait," Hermione pleaded, Draco didn't wait, he crossed the street, without looking back.
End chapter four
Okay, ladies and gentlemen, now I need your advice, I am at a cross road in the story (I'm currently writing chapter 7, but you aint getting it for a while) um, I can bring Harry and Ron into the story or I can leave it as just Hermione and Draco, you're call because neither of us know what to do. Help! Review, okay.
Thanks, Love ya, Bug-a-lugs
Chapter 4 - Dinner with Draco
The meeting with her parents was uncomfortable for Hermione, but her parents were just relieved she was back. There was no yelling or grounding, there was a lot of tears from her mother and lots of questions, questions Hermione didn't want to answer. She told them about Draco, but she couldn't tell them about those men, she didn't know how. All she said was that she had a 'friend' in Venice and stayed the night and morning with him. Her parents seemed content with that and neither of them took it further.
Hermione didn't go back to Draco's hotel, she never saw him again for at least another week. She spent the week around Venice with her parents, they asked to see this 'friend' of hers, but Hermione never obliged. She was always thinking about him, though, why had he come to see her? It was an edgy week between her an her parents. Hermione found Flinders Cabin and sent Harry and Ron an owl. They were both at Sirius and Harry's place in Godric's Hollow. Peter Pettigrew had been caught and was in Azkaban, all charges on Sirius had been dropped and he never got in trouble for being an unregistered animagi either, the ministry thought he'd been through enough. Sirius was working to become an Auror and doing very well. Hermione found Hedwig on her window sill waiting for her to get out of the shower.
"Hi, Hedwig. Do you have Harry's reply?"
Hedwig ruffled his feathers to show his annoyance at have to wait for her and stuck out his foot with a letter attached to it. Hermione untied it and went to fetch some water for Hedwig. Once Hedwig was happy, she read the letter, which was written in Ron's unmistakable, messy handwriting.
Hi 'Mione, Hows Venice? Doesn't sound so great to me, not with Malfoy hanging around anyway. I know you said he saved your life or something but he has a lot to make up for, this is just the beginning! On to better news, Lupin is here he is just as cool as ever and we are having the best time, Harry and I have asked Sirius and Lupin to help us to become animagi, you should think about doing it too. Wouldn't it be cool!!! Harry's decided on a stag, coz of his dad, but I'm still thinking. What do you reckon? Anyway Harry's calling me outside, he's trying to teach Sirius how to fly again (on brooms) and its so funny, yesterday he was stuck up in a tree for hours. Gotta go
From Ron
Me Too!!!
Harry's handwriting was beneath Ron's all he wrote was Me too!!! Like he couldn't believe Ron never signed his name as well. Hermione smiled and sat down to write a reply.
Dear Ron, Harry, Sirius and Professor Lupin.
Believe it or not, Venice is getting better. I haven't seen Malfoy in a week and I wouldn't have minded if I saw him yesterday. (he's not that bad!)
Hermione stopped and read over the letter, 'not that bad', I don't think Ron would appreciate that much. She crumpled up her piece of paper and threw it in the trash. She took another piece and started again.
Dear Ron, Harry, Sirius and Lupin.
Venice is getting better. Mum and dad are cool about everything and the city is really beautiful. Even so, I can't wait to come home and I really wish I was there with you guys. Sirius riding a broom, that'd be a laugh and a half (no offence Sirius) Flinders Cabin is so cool, its like a shopping centre (Harry you explain it to them) there's an owlery, a public library (my personal favourite), a really cool Quidditch store (which is really saying something since Quidditch is your thing) and joke shops, sweet shops, pets shops, restaurants and heaps more. But my parents prefer the muggle stores, so we usually stick to them. Hedwig's getting impatient and threatening to leave without this letter so I better leave it here. Love you heaps. Hermione. XXXOOO
Hermione looked over the letter and was satisfied. She tied it to Hedwig and the owl flew out the window without acknowledging her. She suspected Hedwig didn't like her very much.
The door opened with a creak and Hermione's father came in smiling. "Do you want to go out for dinner tonight, honey?" he said.
"Um," Hermione thought, "Yeah, I'd like that." She said, smiling back at him.
"We could invite that friend of yours, we haven't met him yet." He said, Hermione's parents had been asking about Draco all week and she was beginning to wish she never mentioned him to them.
"I don't think so, dad, he's busy." Hermione lied, she was running out of reasons why he was busy. Though, the last few days she'd been wondering about Draco, his father was due to see him this week and she was beginning to worry. Maybe she should invite him. After a minute of thought, she added, "But, I can ask him anyway."
Hermione's father's face glowed at these six simple words, "fabulous! We'll ring him."
"No, dad. I'll go around there, he doesn't have much experience with telephones."
"Oh, right," he tapped the side of his nose, knowledgably, "I always forget about your friends."
Hermione smiled and strolled out of the room, "I'll be back in a half an hour, with or without him, ok?" she called back to her father, whom she knew was planning to accompany her. She thought it would be better to go without him.
"Ah, Hermione," he started, but she was already gone.
~~~***~~~
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Draco looked at the door. "I don't need anything!" he called, rather rudely through the door, thinking the person outside was a muggle house cleaner.
"Not even dinner?" The voice that called back was familiar and very unexpected. He opened the door to an amused, smug looking Hermione.
"Granger," he said, calmly.
"Mum and dad have been bugging me about my 'friend,' that I spend Wednesday night with, that's you," she said, as if he didn't know, "and I finally agreed to ask you to dinner, so they'll leave me alone. So, what do you say?" She smiled.
"Dinner with muggles?" he said looking a tinge repulsed, "I dunno, Hermione. I don't like them very much."
Hermione smirked, "it'll stir your father up."
"Okay," Draco smirked back at her. "But no friendly, buddy-buddy stuff at Hogwarts, right?"
Hermione was stung but she didn't show it, "wouldn't dream of it" she said quietly.
They walked silently down the corridor, Hermione stepped into the elevator first. "Malfoy, has-" she stopped, two middle-aged muggles had stepped into the elevator with them, the ride down was silent.
"What were you going to say, back in the elevator?" Draco asked once they were in the street.
"Oh, just, has your father come back, yet?" she looked at her feet, as if she knew she shouldn't ask him.
"Nah, he's making me sweat a bit, always does." Draco replied, "Thing is, I don't think about it anymore, they'll knock me around a bit, but they won't kill me until the last minute and I still refuse. I don't worry about it, I've learned to block out the pain."
Hermione was silent.
"Let's not talk about it. So, what did Potter say when you told him about me? I assume you told him?" Draco smirked, successfully changing the subject.
"Harry didn't write back, Ron did. He wasn't happy, he reckons you're indebted to us anyway, said that you're just beginning to pay us back, by saving my butt." Hermione smiled.
"Uh huh, Weasel's got another thing coming then." He smirked at the thought, "where's dinner going to be then?"
"Dunno, I'll take you back to the hotel and we'll all go from there."
"Mmm," Draco sighed.
Dinner was at a nice Italian restaurant down the street. Mrs Granger and Hermione sat first, then Draco and Mr Granger. Despite his hatred for all at the table, Draco was very polite and pleased Hermione's parents very much, well, her mother anyway. He pulled Hermione's chair out for her and she sat. He wouldn't allow Hermione to pour her own water and he wouldn't eat until Hermione and Mrs Granger had taken their first bite.
Draco scanned the menu and chose what he wanted, "are we ready to order?" he asked, glancing around the table.
"Mum? Dad?" Hermione looked to her parents and they nodded. "Then, I guess we are."
"What are you having?" Draco asked Hermione.
"Um, the cabonara with fettuccine,"
Draco nodded, "any drinks?"
"Just a lemonade." She replied.
Draco raised his hand in the air, "waiter" he called, and a waiter came immediately. "We are ready to order." He watched as the waiter took out a pad and a pen, "The lady," he said, gesturing towards Hermione, "will have the Fettuccine Carbonara and a lemonade." He waited for the waiter to finish writing before continuing, "I will have a coke and a spaghetti bolognaise." Draco looked to Mr Granger and he ordered, Mrs Granger had to order for herself.
He waited politely as Hermione fiddled with her napkin, eventually Draco graciously took it from her and fixed it himself. They ate in silence, each enjoying their meals.
When Hermione was done, she stood and Draco immediately stood too. "Draco, what are you standing for?"
"It's polite," he said simply.
"Hmm, excuse me, I need to use the bathroom." Hermione said and glanced, very puzzled, at Draco. Draco stood until Hermione was out of sight, then sat down to finish his meal.
"You were brought up well, Draco, very polite, old fashioned, Hmm?" Mr Granger, tried to make conversation.
"My mother and father are very strict," Draco said, there was no expression on his face.
"You know Hermione from school?" Mrs Granger asked politely.
"Yes, ma'am, Hermione is in some of my classes," Draco smiled, "Though, we are in different houses and differ in our opinions of Quidditch and such. Hermione is my only academic competition there, we are constantly trying to surpass each other in tests and assignments."
"And who wins?" Mr Granger smiled.
A stern glance from Mrs Granger and a sharp kick under the table retracted this question and Draco didn't have to answer. Hermione returned and smiled at Draco as he stood once again, to pull her seat out allowing her to sit.
"Shall we order dessert?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, okay, love." Mr Granger, glanced over his shoulder to find the Dessert stand. They all stood, Draco pulled Hermione chair out again and they headed for the dessert stand. They all chose and Draco was left to order for them.
"He's lovely, honey." Mrs Granger said to Hermione while they were alone.
"I don't like him, he's too- polite!" Mr Granger grumbled.
"How is that bad, daddy?" Hermione asked sweetly.
"Ulterior motives." He said plainly. Hermione didn't ask what ulterior motives he was talking about, she wasn't sure she wanted to know.
"Oh, don't listen to him, he just doesn't want to share you with another man." Mrs Granger waved her hand at Mr Granger as she said this.
"But what about Harry and Ron, dad, doesn't have a problem with them. What so different about Draco?" Hermione has some idea what her father and mother thought and she was going to correct them.
"He's your boyfriend, isn't he!" Mrs Granger said, this was statement not a question.
"No, mum, he's not!" Hermione sounded horrified.
"Well, he wants to be," Mrs Granger smiled, "I can tell!"
Mr Granger just growled.
Draco had returned by this time and it was discussed no further. The rest of the idle dinner chatter was just about Draco's family, most of what Draco said were lies and Hermione knew this. The Malfoy family situation was not very pleasant, so Draco made it sound all happy and lovey-dovey.
After dinner, they all walked back to the hotel. Hermione and Draco hung back, letting Hermione's parents walk about twenty metres ahead of them.
"So, did you have fun?" Hermione asked him.
"Yeah, kinda, in a weird way." Draco smirked.
"Mum likes you," Hermione smiled, "Dad thinks you have ulterior motives."
"Yeah, maybe I do." Draco's expression didn't change.
"Huh?" Hermione stared at him, dumbfounded.
"Stop," Draco said, pulling her back. He turned to face her, the street was almost empty and her parents were far enough away. Draco gently stroked her cheek with the back for his hand, he moved his hand back, tracing her hairline and cupping her head, just above her neck. She moved willingly as he pulled her close. Their lips gently touched and they looked into each others eyes before sharing their first tender kiss. Hermione let herself fall into him, she melted under his touch and she didn't mind one bit. His lips were warm and moist, she lightly touched his elbow. She gently caressed his arm, moving her hand from his elbow to his shoulder and back down again. She gripped his upper arm, for a second, as he deepened the kiss, but quickly wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. Draco suddenly pulled away, causing Hermione to lose her balance and fall into him, but he caught her easily.
"Hmph!" Mr Granger growled, "excuse me, I don't mean to interrupt, but get your hands of my daughter!"
"Honey!" This was Mrs Granger coming to the rescue, "come on, leave them alone."
"Over my dead body! I told you he had ulterior motives, didn't I tell you?" he roared, attracting the attention of passer bys.
By this time Hermione had stepped in front of Draco and was telling her father to stop over reacting.
"You're making a scene, Dad!" Hermione pleaded. Mrs Granger pulled Mr Granger away, still growling, and they continued walking.
"Sorry," Hermione said turning to Draco again.
"No, I'm sorry," Draco took a step back. "I'll see you later, okay?"
"Wait," Hermione pleaded, Draco didn't wait, he crossed the street, without looking back.
End chapter four
Okay, ladies and gentlemen, now I need your advice, I am at a cross road in the story (I'm currently writing chapter 7, but you aint getting it for a while) um, I can bring Harry and Ron into the story or I can leave it as just Hermione and Draco, you're call because neither of us know what to do. Help! Review, okay.
Thanks, Love ya, Bug-a-lugs