Disclaimer: Cause we're the ones who want to read. Always want to write but
we never use our seed. We are the ones who want to choose. Always want the
praise but we have nothing to lose. When you lose small mind, eternal
prize. ~ Spin off of System of a Down's, Aerials. Good song.
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE: The Green Monster and the Honey Bee
To Draco's relief, they did not go shopping. Instead, they just walked through the halls, looking into unfamiliar classrooms and talking. Hermione seemed so happy and carefree, Draco couldn't tell her how intensely bored he was. Hermione could tell anyway, by the way he smiled; you could tell a lot of things by the way Draco smiled, that is if you were lucky enough to see him do so. His smile today was forced and small, but Hermione was glad he was just letting her be happy without complaint; Harry and Ron never did that.
"You're going to have to go shopping eventually, you know. Please don't tell me you don't even give your own mother a Christmas present; I did, so you should," she told him as they walked, hand in hand.
"Of course I do, I'd just rather go alone. No offense, but shopping with girls is not a pleasant experience. I've gone with my mother, Mrs. Whize, as a chaperone for each Clara and Fristy, and of course Pansy. Every girl is exactly the same; they all get all giggly, especially if with another girl, and run from store to store, spending hours in each one, only to end up buying the first thing they saw when they entered," he explained with a frown. Hermione was giggling through his entire speech. She nodded when he stopped to look at her; that was exactly how almost every girl shopped. Some worse than others, but ultimately everyone.
"Of course; why do you think they always put the expensive stuff in the display? First thing you see when you walk in..." Hermione reasoned with a wide smile. Draco smiled too, then looked a little skeptical, remembering a previous statement.
"Wait, did you say you bought my mother a present?" Hermione laughed a little, surprised at the subject change.
"Yes, of course," she answered, getting over the shopping conversation.
"Oh great, now I have to get stuff for people I don't even know. This is hopeless, I'm not good at this shopping thing, Hermione. No one ever likes anything I buy, I'm challenged in the area of merchandising," he said, sounding almost nervous. Hermione laughed.y did not go shopping. exitp a bit? Unstoppable. ver that mean old lady used to get the kid in the carraige!, I have also n
"What are you talking about, my parents? No, actually I don't want you to get them anything. You don't know my parents; they overreact to everything," she said and he interrupted.
"Sounds like someone else I know," he said quietly, for effect.
"Shut up," she said, smiling. Draco, also grinning, held his unoccupied hand up in surrender. Hermione shook her head and continued talking. "No, they're worse than even me. That would be one odd Christmas morning: 'Draco, who's Draco?'
'I think he's the guy Hermione always seemed to complain about whenever she came home; maybe it's a bomb'
'Oh no! Wait, didn't she say she was dating some guy named Draco?'
'Yes, but it can't be the same person, just to be careful; let's burn it'
'What if it is from her boyfriend, we've never met him, do you think they're having sex? Why would he send us a gift if not because he feels guilty? Oh my god, my poor baby!'
"Basically, present from you equals a ton of explaining and attempts convincing of the un-convincible. Please don't, it will be much easier that way. They'll never trust either of us again otherwise." Draco couldn't help but laugh and Hermione smiled. Draco so rarely laughed, more now than he used to, but still rarely.
"Wow, you've got them pretty much figured out, don't you? You're right, that is more overreacting than you; an innocent gift automatically means I'm raping you? That's cheerful, I'm excited about meeting them now," he said and gave her a light kiss on the cheek. Draco still loved kissing her, even if it didn't bring with it the exotic tingle. Hermione smiled.
"So my parents are out, but you still have to buy for your mother and the entire Whize family, which I did this morning. Anyone else? What about the Draco Malfoy fan club?" she asked, smirking after her last statement. Draco let out a short laugh.
"You mean Pansy, Crabbe, and Goyle? Why would I do that?" he asked in near astonishment. She shrugged with a smile. "Wait, you said the entire Whize family. What about Mr. Whize, you've never met him; how is that different from me buying for your parents?" he asked.
"Did you even hear what I said my parents would think? Number one, he is not my parents and number two, presents from girls are much less suspicious than presents from boys. All girls shop for everyone they can think of, it's normal. As you clearly stated, boys don't do shopping. It makes sense," she said, sounding care-free. "Plus, I got them a family gift, not individual ones. Well...except Lucifer, I couldn't resist the infant section; everything is so adorable." Draco shook his head and rolled his eyes.
"Girls. So let's see, I've got Mum, the Whizes, you, of course, and Harry and Ron. I should probably get them something anyway; to look good, if not because I want to. I think that's it. Wow, that's a depressingly small amount of people," he said, but didn't sound depressed; it was more than last year.
"I'm not much better, I have everyone you said plus the Weasley's, Ginny, and my parents. Still not that many, but if your goal is universal popularity, you're going to be waiting a long time," she said, also sounding cheerful. There was silence for a while and Draco just looked around the corridor with an expression of thought on his face.
"Hey, Hermione...why are there no Christmas decorations? If it is the day you say it is, shouldn't Peeves be walking around with mistletoe, catching unsuspecting couples? And where's the snow? I love the snow they have inside," he sounded almost disappointed. "That's usually when I go shopping, when it starts to snow inside and I'm forced to kiss people I don't even know; gets me into the holiday spirit." Hermione smiled and moved closer to him.
"I don't know, maybe they didn't think them necessary with only us," she suggested.
"Are you kidding? Dumbledore would do it if it were just him and Snape, much less the head boy and girl." Hermione gasped and put her spare hand to her forehead. "What?" Draco asked, as always- concerned.
"We are head boy and girl aren't we?" she asked and Draco looked at her as if she were crazy.
"Yes, love, how could you forget? You only see the sign that says so every night before you go to bed. Hermione, have you really gone mad?" he asked with a smirk.
"Shut up, if we're head boy and girl, aren't we supposed to decorate the castle?" she asked, looking at him. Draco laughed.
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that. But we should ask Dumbledore before we just go enchanting snow, don't you think?" he asked.
"Yeah, but not right now," she said and kissed him on the cheek. Draco held his breath until she spoke again. "We have to go shopping!" she said and pulled him toward another corridor. Draco was much stronger and spun her back to him, letting her run into his chest. He pulled an arm tight around her, trapping her there. Hermione giggled as he kissed her, then kissed back; biting his lip softly. Draco smiled when they broke apart.
"Aren't we just full of surprises today?" he said, then dropped his grin. "Do we HAVE to go? Why can't we just stay here and you can surprise me some more," he suggested and Hermione kissed him again.
"After that whole conversation, you didn't actually think I was going to let you off with NOT going, did you? Yes, we are most defiantly going. Care to argue?" she said with a smirk, knowing he couldn't resist her. Draco rolled his eyes.
"Alright, I'll go. Bloody hell, what is it with girls and shopping with guys? I've never made you do anything guy-like with me. I could have taken you to watch Quidditch instead of that play. I was thinking about it, actually...not Quidditch per-say, but something you wouldn't like, just to piss you off," he told her, smirking.
"Oh, that's wonderful. How romantic, I'm flattered that you put so much thought into pissing me off, Draco. Really," she said sarcastically, then smiled; she knew he was kidding.
* * * * * * * * * *
Draco followed Hermione aimlessly though the streets of Hogsmeade. The trip wasn't entirely unpleasant for him; he was, after all, with her. He would do anything for her, she owned him, and she knew it. Draco was certain she felt that subtle power she held over him and was subconsciously glad she loved him. Power over a Malfoy was rarely possessed by anyone other than another Malfoy; in the wrong hands it could be dangerous.
"Draco, what are you planning on buying your mother?" Hermione asked, looking through a rack of robes, breaking Draco from his thoughts. They had bought very little, as it was a shopping trip for Draco and he was not an avid shopper. The couple drifted in and out of various shops, many of which they would never buy from.
"I don't know, I never do. She has everything," he said, sounding bland but caring.
"What did you get her last year?" she asked, trying to be of some assistance.
"Socks," he said seriously. Hermione stopped and looked at him as if he were insane. "I'm joking, love, I'm not that dense. Actually, I gave her a rather large assortment of chocolates. It was a flop, however; Lucius ate them all." He smiled at her and Hermione tried to smile back.
"Is it hard, being the first Christmas without your father?" she asked kindly. Draco nearly shrugged and continued looking at the robes in front of him.
"Yes and no. Lucius was a horrible person, so it's almost peaceful and serene without him. Happier; more Christmas-y. Then again, he was my father and he was family. He's been there for every wretched Christmas I can remember before school. Then I just stayed over vacation; glad to not be home but feeling guilty about leaving mum alone with him, knowing he'll get drunk and rape her.
"At least at school I don't have to sit in my room trying futilely to block out the screams." He sighed and looked at the paled and scared Hermione who stood a few feet away from him. "No, it's okay, don't look like that. Now is it understandable why I'm not wallowing in grief? This year will be so much better than last year and all the years past. This year, Lucius is dead, Mum is safe from certain torture, and you're here with me. What a happy Christmas," he said, taking a step closer and standing beside her. "I love you."
"I love you too," she said and leaned into him. "I'm sorry; that was just surreal and creepy. What you were saying, yes, but more so how you said it. Emotionless. Draco, sometimes you just creep me out."
"Um, I'm sorry?" he said, apologizing but unsure if that's what she was looking for. They began to walk toward the doors.
"Don't be. I just thought I'd tell you; if you ever wanted me to doubt my sanity, and/or yours, that would be the way to go about it." Draco laughed and opened the door for Hermione, letting her go first into the crowded street.
"Where to next, love?" he asked, coming from behind and wrapping his arms around her, his chin on her shoulder. Hermione turned her head to the side, letting her nose brush against Draco's cheek. She closed her eyes and shrugged.
"It doesn't matter, but we HAVE to go to Honeyduke's before we leave. I noticed my stash has mysteriously been emptied and it is vital to my health, and probably yours, that I replenish it as soon as possible. I can't believe I forgot to this morning, I walked right by the store and didn't even think about it...I guess I was preoccupied," she said and pulled his hands from her waist, keeping one and beginning to make her way down the street. Draco looked amused and curious.
"Your 'stash'? What are you talking about?" he asked as he walked beside her.
"Chocolate," she said, her voice dripping with desire. "My chocolate stash; I'm a teenage girl, Draco. A day without that sugary sustenance is like a day without... a kiss. Just can't do it, won't work." Draco smiled.
"Well, you certainly don't look like you eat all that much," he said and kissed her rosy cheek. "How is it that you talk about chocolate with more enthusiasm and excitement than you talk about me?" he asked with a fake pout. Hermione giggled.
"Because I have you; I don't have any chocolate."
"Oh great, now an imported commercial junk food with no nutritional value is officially more unattainable than I am? That's wonderful," Draco said with sarcasm. Hermione smiled and kissed his cheek. "So this stash of yours just mysteriously disappeared? Hm, wonder how that happened... maybe you should tell me where it is and I can investigate. My money's on your cat; it's certainly got room."
"Hey, don't insult my cat! And fat chance about me telling you where it is, I know what will come of that." Draco mocked a hurt look, accompanied by a fake pout. Hermione smiled. "That's adorable. Now, don't let me forget again, or you'll regret it later. You shall feel my wrath, pale grasshopper."
"Okay, now you're creeping me out; what the hell are you talking about? Did you just call me an insect? You think I'm bugging you now, I'll show you what bugging is like. You know nothing," he threatened her with an enormous grin. Hermione giggled.
"God, Draco. Get over yourself," she said in a kind tone that did not fit the statement.
"I suppose I could, but first I must get over you; and that will never happen," he said, leaning in to whisper it in her ear. Hermione felt her skin tingle where his cheek had nearly touched hers. Then, he pulled his head away and straightened up. "Let's find that muggle clothing store," he said, craning his neck in search.
"Why?" she asked, for no real reason. He could buy gifts there, why not? Draco looked at her with a half smile.
"Isn't that what you normally do on shopping trips? Try on a bunch of clothes and ask for opinions?" he asked.
"That's what I do on shopping trips with Ginny," she said, looking like she was caught in a dream she knew she was having. **What does he want to try on clothes for, anyway? Weird...**
"Well, what's Ginny got that I haven't got?" he asked, looking pout-y again. Hermione smiled deviously.
"Actually, I think it's what you've got that she hasn't..." she began, only to be cut of by a semi-shocked Draco.
"Hermione! You don't have to be so crude, you know. You could have said something like 'fashion sense' or 'she's a girl'," he said, smirking. Hermione shrugged.
"Sorry; I couldn't resist. You set yourself up for that one, you know. Besides, how do I know you have no fashion sense? All your clothes pretty much match each other and I've never been shopping with you before. The store is over there," she said, interrupting herself and pointing, then went back to making her point. "For all I know, you could have a better clothes-matching ability than... um... wait, has there EVER been a male with an eye for clothes?"
"I don't know, but you're rambling. Are we going to find out or not?" he asked and she shrugged.
"I guess," she agreed, still a little amused that he wanted to do something so feminine. The hand-clasped couple made their way into the surprisingly empty clothing shop. Most wizards would rather wear robes than muggle clothes, so they didn't make practical gifts and no one was hanging around buying them. Except Draco and Hermione, that is.
Hermione went frantic as soon as they crossed the threshold. Draco gapped at her in awe as she moved from rack to rack with amazing speed. She would, at almost every pause, pick up something to try on. Her pale grasshopper of a boyfriend snapped back to reality after a second and began to pick out a few selections for her as well.
After only a few minutes, Hermione headed off to the dressing room with an armful of garments. Draco followed her, toting a much smaller array. He handed them to Hermione just before she walked behind the curtain, then sat in the chair a few feet away. She looked at him, a little confused.
"You're just going to sit there and wait for me to try on stuff, just to give your opinion?" she asked, thinking that was rather odd. Seamus Finnegan probably wouldn't even enjoy doing that; and he was very 'feminine'.
"That would be the general idea, yes. We're trying to determine if I am possibly the first man in history with good fashion sense. I'm willing to do anything it takes," Draco said with a sarcastic smirk. Hermione shook her head and giggled, then slipped through the curtain with her arm full of clothes.
She came out first wearing black leather pants and a green, faux snake skin, tube-top that showed three or four inches of her midsection. Draco stared for a moment, then smiled widely and gave a slight nod. Hermione crossed her arms and cocked her hips.
"Right, get me a leather whip and some chains and we'll be all set," she said sarcastically. Draco jumped up with a smirk, as if to fulfill her request. Hermione shook her head at him and went back through the curtain.
This same routine continued for over an hour with both Hermione and Draco showing reactions ranging from laughter to shock to utter disgust. Hermione was enjoying herself; she loved to see Draco's reaction every time she opened the curtain and it made her heart flutter each time she pleased him.
"Aren't you getting bored?" Hermione asked, taking a step toward him while wearing a black sweater and stonewashed jeans, flared widely at the knee. Draco smiled as she came closer, trying to thing of something to clever to say, which for Draco Malfoy was not difficult.
"No way, it's like the best Christmas ever in slow motion; there may be some time between presents, but I get exactly what I wanted every time, just wrapped in different paper." Hermione was next to him now, kneeling between his legs while he sat in the solitary chair. She turned her head away and closed her eyes, trying to hide how good his words made her feel, but her smile told all. "What?" he asked placing a hand on her cheek. "Is it the popcorn again? We really should do something about that."
Hermione giggled a little and nodded before looking up into the smirking face of her Malfoy. She smiled as he leaned closer, closing her eyes in time for their lips to touch. Hermione wouldn't let the kiss get too good; they were in public after all. She pulled away gently so Draco would not misunderstand and smiled at him.
"I bet I could guess what Pansy would say if you said that to her," Hermione began and Draco frowned a little.
"Well, I would never say that to her...and why do we have to bring her up?" he asked and Hermione shrugged.
"You're nice to my old boyfriend, why shouldn't I be nice to your ex- girlfriend?" she said innocently. Draco sighed and rolled his eyes a little, but he was still smiling.
"All right, if I were in Gryffindor, you failed an exam, and I said that to Pansy, what would she say?" Hermione giggled and batted her eye lashes.
"Well Drakkie-po, why don't we go back to the castle so you can unwrap your Christmas present?" she purred, sounding very much like Pansy. Draco stared blankly at her and blinked.
"Okay, that was the creepiest thing I have ever heard in my life. Please refrain from ever trying to sound like Pansy again, it freaks me out in ways I never thought possible," he told her with a shell-shocked but serious look on his slightly over-paled face. Hermione giggled and he spoke again, this time smiling. "And I thought you were being nice, that wasn't very nice at all, for me or her, no matter how true it may be."
"Okay, maybe nice was too strong a word. How about conscious of? Or viciously jealous?" she said, speaking the last three words quietly. Draco started for a moment before speaking.
"Jealous? Why are you jealous of Pansy? I'd rather kiss Finnegan than spend ten minutes within a hundred foot radius of the wench. I never liked her at all, Hermione. I was just betrothed to her," he said calmly and Hermione's head popped up to look at him.
"Marry Pansy?" she asked, her heart racing with fear and anger, **Why did he get involved with me if he has to marry that bitch next year? How could he not have said?** "You have to marry her and you never thought to tell me?" she asked, anger apparent in her voice. Draco paled and hastily explained.
"No, Hermione, you don't understand. I wasn't legally betrothed, it was more like my father saying 'you shall marry the Parkinson girl or I will kick your ass.' He died, Hermione; I'm off the hook. Do you think I would hurt you like that; do you honestly think I could do that to you?
"I love you, Hermione, but I wouldn't have gotten involved if I knew I had to leave you. I swear I would never do that... I'm sorry." Hermione nodded and he embraced her. They hugged for a while, then Hermione pulled back, wiping a tear stained face. "Is that the last one?" he asked, changing the subject. Hermione smiled brightly, her mind back on clothes.
"There's one more; I saved the best one for last," she said, jumping up. Draco looked up at her with a smile and she leaned down again for a quick kiss before running back through the curtains. Draco sighed; **That was very close, stupid git. What the hell were you thinking, just blurting it out like that?** he thought and continued to curse himself until Hermione walked back through the curtain. The chair he was balancing on two legs fell backward when is eyes connected with her newest ensemble. Hermione immediately rushed to his side, but he had already stood up.
"You look b-beautiful," he said, rather awkwardly- much unlike him. Hermione giggled; she was wearing a cinnamon red dress, slim and skimpy, cut off an inch above the floor, and there were thin straps which crossed behind the very low cut back. It was a gorgeous dress, simple and elegant. She spun for him.
"Do you like it?" she asked and Draco nodded, unable to speak. "It's the last one," the dress-clad girl said, a little sadly.
"Do you want it?" he asked, finally finding words. Hermione smiled.
"Yes, but I'm not buying it. It's a little pricey and impractical. There's no ball this year, I wouldn't get a chance to wear it." Draco was a little disappointed; she looked stunning.
"There's always the Graduation Dance and I wouldn't dream of cutting into your chocolate account; it's on me," he said, attempting the impossible. When Hermione makes up her mind, there's no changing it. She smirked at him.
"Actually, right now it's on me, but I'd like to see it on you," she said before slipping back through the curtain.
"Haha, very funny. Where did you learn to twist words like that; me?" he called after her, straightening the chair.
"I only learn from the best," she called back, laughing. Hermione changed back into her original outfit, then exited with an armful of garments. Draco looked at her, noting that the pile was too small to be everything she had tried on. Then, his eyes noticed the spicy red dress on the top and stepped up to help.
"Here, let me take these and you can get the rest, alright? And I want you to pick out something, we're not leaving yet another store empty handed. Plus, we did spend over an hour in here without purpose, I think it's the least we can do to buy something," he said, taking the pile from her arms.
"Well, I guess you're right. We did have a purpose though, Drakkie-po. I now know that you have even less taste in clothes than Harry." He smiled a little.
"Oh great, another thing Potter is better at than me, and PLEASE don't call me that," he said; Hermione giggled.
"What, you want to have taste? I can just see you bragging to your Slytherin brigade, 'I have WAY more fashion sense than Potter. He couldn't match shoes to save his life,'" she finished with a giggle.
"No, I suppose not. Run along and get the rest of the clothes; Honeyduke's closes in three hours, it might take us that long to put all of this back. Remember to save something love, anything, I don't care." Hermione giggled and pecked his cheek before turning back to the dressing room with a nod. As Draco had expected, it took her a few minutes to decide what to keep, that was good, he was counting on that. He hastily put things away, most where they were supposed to go, than dashed off to the other side of the store.
Hermione stood behind the curtain, looking at the array of clothing she had been left with. **Something black; Draco likes black...** she decided and extracted all of the black items. ** Now, what do I look best in?** she asked herself, remembering what each item looked like. She finally decided on a shirt she had not shown Draco. When Hermione had put it on, she didn't like the way it had looked with her current pant selection and changed out of it.
She did love the shirt, she had just forgotten to put it back on for him. It was black, of course, and comfortable. The main part was simple cotton, tied in the front in a Renaissance style. From the shoulders, the long sleeves were sheer, but also black, exposing her arms. The same, fish net like, material cascaded from below her breasts, creating a semi-translucent curtain and uncovering her navel.
**Revealing, black, and I look damn good in it. He'll love it,** she decided and concealed it under the other clothes, then she exited the room.
Hermione looked around for Draco, but for a moment couldn't find him. His blonde hair caught her eye, however, and she spotted him near the counter, seemly talking to the man behind it. **Shit, how am I going to do this?** she thought, biting her lip. Draco glanced over at her from the man, then did a double take and excused himself from the conversation. The man looked toward Hermione, then back to Draco as he asked something. The man smiled and nodded in answer to Draco's question and Draco started toward Hermione.
"All set then?" he asked after coming close enough to her and kissing her below the ear. She smiled and nodded.
"Here, could you put these away while I go check out? Meet me over there, you'll probably be done before I am." Draco nodded and took the pile of clothes from her. Hermione made sure to keep the black top tight in her hand and kissed his cheek quickly in distraction before turning to the counter. Draco saw that the item was black, but didn't see much more of the detail.
"Hey, don't you want me to-" he began, but she wasn't listening. He watched her make her way to the desk, then turned and began putting things away again. As he had expected, but evidently Hermione didn't, she finished checking out before Draco finished putting away the clothes. When he finally was done, Draco turned to see Hermione talking with the clerk, seemingly having an enjoyable conversation. He felt a thin wave of jealousy wash over him and he walked toward the conversing couple.
"Hermione?" he asked when he was close enough, not bothering to wait for a break in speech. She stopped talking and turned to him with a smile. "Ready?" he asked, trying to hold in his mild rage and speak kindly. Hermione looked at the clerk, then back to Draco, all the while keeping her smile.
"Yes, of course," she said and turned to walk away. Draco followed close behind, shooting daggers over his should at the man, his eyes an icy steel. The man frowned a bit and turned away. Draco followed Hermione out of the store, then grabbed her free hand. He smiled at her, anger leaving his body with her touch.
"My, aren't we possessive?" Hermione said with an incredulous eyebrow. Draco looked at her with mild confusion.
"What?" he asked, leading her down the street to Honeyduke's.
"Don't act all innocent now, you were jealous of me talking to that store clerk, weren't you?" Draco opened his mouth in shock, **Was it that obvious? Denial is always the way to go...**
"I most certainly was not," he said, sounding more childish than he had anticipated.
"Yeah right, don't think I didn't see the look you gave him when we left," she said, hand on her hip. **Change the subject, right now, stupid git,** he told himself.
"Hey, how about when we get back, you keep trying on clothes? I can take notes, work up my fashion IQ. I'd rather study you than potions any day," he suggested and kissed her cheek.
"Sure Draco, then we can paint our nails and have a pillow fight. Jeez, you're so weird; you sound just like Ginny," she said, smiling. Draco stepped in front of her, stopping her from continuing to walk.
"Well, would Ginny do this?" he asked and swept her into a kiss, right in the middle of the street. Draco smiled as they broke apart and Hermione smirked.
"I certainly hope not, or we've got a lot of explaining to do to Ron. Wait, 'would Ginny do this', why does that sound familiar?" she asked, contemplation a question she knew the answer to, "Ah, that's right: that's the line you used to prove that you weren't Malfoy," she reminded him and was cut off. Draco faked a wince and brought a hand to his cheek.
"You're not going to prove you're not Granger again, are you? I believe you, there's no need for violence," he said, faking fear. Hermione just ignored him.
"...so if you're not Ginny and you're not Malfoy, who the hell are you and what did you do with my friends?" she asked, taking his hand in hers.
"I'm Drakkie-po and I brought them to Honeyduke's to be embossed in chocolate. Happy Christmas," he said and opened the door to the candy shop they were now in front of. Hermione giggled and walked in, flanked by her boyfriend.
As it was nearly six, there were only a few people left in the shop. Hermione walked straight up to the elderly man behind the counter and the man smiled when he saw her.
"Hermione! Back so soon? I wouldn't be expectin' to see you in need of a fill up already; the usual?"
"Yes, thanks Herm. The past couple of weeks have been a little stressful, I plowed through that stuff like you wouldn't believe," she told the old man as he began to place an assortment of wizard and muggle chocolates into a box. He laughed at her statement and continued filling her order while talking. Draco remained silent and simply watched from the side with a smile.
"Who's your friend? I though all the students were home, 'ceptin you and the Head Lad," he asked, still smiling. Hermione beamed.
"Actually, this is the Head Boy, Herm. Draco Malfoy," she turned to Draco, "Herman Honeyduke." Draco smiled and nodded to the man.
"I've seen you in here before, never alone though... always with the school trips," Herm said, almost to himself.
"Well, technically we're not supposed to come alone. However, I must come for my rations," Hermione said. The man laughed another hearty laugh and closed the box he was filling, placing it on the glass counter. His eyes went from Draco to Hermione a few times as Hermione dug into her pouch for exact change.
"So... you two got a thing or something?" he asked with a 'don't blame the old for stating the obvious' look. Hermione smiled, but Draco answered.
"You could say that," he said, sounding proud, and placing a hand on the small of her back. Hermione placed the money in the store owner's hand, then thanked him and picked up her box. She walked to the exit with Draco in tails and the older man waved to them as they left. "You have a usual and are on a first name basis with the shop owner?" Draco asked suspiciously when they were safely outside.
"Yep, I told you I needed it." Draco shook his head and walked beside her toward the gates. "So why are you not jealous of Herm, as you were that other guy?" she asked with a smirk.
"Because I think it's cute," he said smoothly, "Herman and Hermione. You just click, no point in being jealous." Hermione punched him lightly and awkwardly as she was holding the box.
"So you admit it," she said, smirking at the implication.
"Maybe," Draco said, sounding as if it weren't important at all; keeping his eyes ahead of him. Hermione shook her head
"You shouldn't have told him we were an item, Draco. He'll tell everyone," she said as they passed through the gate to Hogwarts grounds, not sounding like she cared that much.
"So? They'll all know eventually anyway. I don't care what everyone knows, I just... here, let me take that box," he cut himself off when he noticed how awkward she was holding it with her other bags in hand. Hermione seemed to hesitate a moment before giving it to him. "Oh, come on Hermione; I'm not going to eat it," he said with a smile and she finally handed it over.
"If you were Ron you would," she said as she adjusted her bags more comfortably. Draco smirked and after a pause Hermione smirked back. "Don't try proving you're not; Ron WOULD probably do that if I let him, he has before. Well, actually, that's an exaggeration. No one has ever kissed me the way you kiss me."
"Nor ever will if I have anything to do with it," he said, holding the box against one hip and letting the other arm slid around her. She smiled for a moment, then looked as if she were in deep thought.
"Call me stupid, but what's that supposed to mean?" she asked, sounding curious and not angry. Draco smiled.
"That I'll kick the ass of anyone who comes near you and I'd never call you stupid. Insane, yes, but no; you're not stupid," he said and placed a kiss behind her ear.
"Gee, thanks," she said sarcastically and Draco laughed. He stole another kiss, this time from the corner of her mouth.
A/N AWWW.... someone asked for more fluffy scenes, so here you go. What's more romantic than trying on clothes? Haha, j/k, but they did have that whole Seattle thing, that was pretty romantic, I think. No Quidditch, at least....
Sorry about all the clothing details, I just can't help it.
PRF:
Candledot - Wow, lots of reviews...
-Thanx, I like my writing style too...lol. Snape, huh? That guy always just creeped me out. He's evil in my story later; word of warning.
-and hopefully, it'll get EVEN better, lol
-Wow... so many wonderful adjectives!
- Has there every been any such thing as a GOOD cliffy? Lol, or... an un- nasty one? Lol
-It's not the best I've ever seen. I think the best one was that story where Lucius gains the mind of a 5-year-old.... that cracked me up! But evil psycho Percy just makes sense. It's one of those things where you hear it and you're like "WHAT? Actually, Everything fucking fits! That was soooo obvious!" lol
Lily Rainwater- Thank you for standing up for me! I KNEW I was right! Lol. I too am glad for the day to day progression, however... it does tend to become a little tedious and restricting, not to mention makes a damn long story...
Prantis - Queen of Hearts - Actually, there was no butter, but that would have been a good idea; lol!
Meggiebaby81- Thanx, I appreciate that! As word of warning; Draco won't be meeting the Grangers until that summer, so it won't be until the sequel. Sorry, you don't have any idea what I'm talking about... well, I'm gonna do this story through Christmas and New Years, then deal with all the 'OMG a Gryffindor and a Slytherin?!' problems, then just skip most of the school year and start a sequel as the summer begins. So be on the lookout! Hehe.
Hasapi - Yea! Lot's o' reviews!
-Of course Draco is a sweetie! He's the sweetest thing on a nimbus, baby!
-Yea! I'm improving! So happy! It helps when I re-read it after I type it... corrects a lot of mistakes that way.
-He just can't win with this tea thing, can he? Haven't these people ever heard of the triad? Lol.
-Yes, I sort-of did that on purpose. Creates conflict. More on the subject of inter-linen relations in later chapters, along with an explanation on why Draco freaked out so badly. The next chapter, I believe.
-Yeah, these kids are high on life, and have way too much in common. Oh well, I guess they'll have to deal with it. And yes, I underestimate people... it's a habit. I'm not really TRYING to do anything, here... just basically trying to get them through this little post-traumatic slump they're in, here. I think their biggest problem is that they spend too much time together, which is hard to avoid. I mean, I don't want to get into that 'You're smothering me, can't I just go do something by myself for a while?' thing, but seriously; how many people spend a full twenty four hours with someone like that? With no classes, they have way too much time on their hands. Meaning; when classes start, then summer, they'll have a better relationship. The whole prospect of loneliness brings people together. And, if you miss someone, you won't take them for granted.
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE: The Green Monster and the Honey Bee
To Draco's relief, they did not go shopping. Instead, they just walked through the halls, looking into unfamiliar classrooms and talking. Hermione seemed so happy and carefree, Draco couldn't tell her how intensely bored he was. Hermione could tell anyway, by the way he smiled; you could tell a lot of things by the way Draco smiled, that is if you were lucky enough to see him do so. His smile today was forced and small, but Hermione was glad he was just letting her be happy without complaint; Harry and Ron never did that.
"You're going to have to go shopping eventually, you know. Please don't tell me you don't even give your own mother a Christmas present; I did, so you should," she told him as they walked, hand in hand.
"Of course I do, I'd just rather go alone. No offense, but shopping with girls is not a pleasant experience. I've gone with my mother, Mrs. Whize, as a chaperone for each Clara and Fristy, and of course Pansy. Every girl is exactly the same; they all get all giggly, especially if with another girl, and run from store to store, spending hours in each one, only to end up buying the first thing they saw when they entered," he explained with a frown. Hermione was giggling through his entire speech. She nodded when he stopped to look at her; that was exactly how almost every girl shopped. Some worse than others, but ultimately everyone.
"Of course; why do you think they always put the expensive stuff in the display? First thing you see when you walk in..." Hermione reasoned with a wide smile. Draco smiled too, then looked a little skeptical, remembering a previous statement.
"Wait, did you say you bought my mother a present?" Hermione laughed a little, surprised at the subject change.
"Yes, of course," she answered, getting over the shopping conversation.
"Oh great, now I have to get stuff for people I don't even know. This is hopeless, I'm not good at this shopping thing, Hermione. No one ever likes anything I buy, I'm challenged in the area of merchandising," he said, sounding almost nervous. Hermione laughed.y did not go shopping. exitp a bit? Unstoppable. ver that mean old lady used to get the kid in the carraige!, I have also n
"What are you talking about, my parents? No, actually I don't want you to get them anything. You don't know my parents; they overreact to everything," she said and he interrupted.
"Sounds like someone else I know," he said quietly, for effect.
"Shut up," she said, smiling. Draco, also grinning, held his unoccupied hand up in surrender. Hermione shook her head and continued talking. "No, they're worse than even me. That would be one odd Christmas morning: 'Draco, who's Draco?'
'I think he's the guy Hermione always seemed to complain about whenever she came home; maybe it's a bomb'
'Oh no! Wait, didn't she say she was dating some guy named Draco?'
'Yes, but it can't be the same person, just to be careful; let's burn it'
'What if it is from her boyfriend, we've never met him, do you think they're having sex? Why would he send us a gift if not because he feels guilty? Oh my god, my poor baby!'
"Basically, present from you equals a ton of explaining and attempts convincing of the un-convincible. Please don't, it will be much easier that way. They'll never trust either of us again otherwise." Draco couldn't help but laugh and Hermione smiled. Draco so rarely laughed, more now than he used to, but still rarely.
"Wow, you've got them pretty much figured out, don't you? You're right, that is more overreacting than you; an innocent gift automatically means I'm raping you? That's cheerful, I'm excited about meeting them now," he said and gave her a light kiss on the cheek. Draco still loved kissing her, even if it didn't bring with it the exotic tingle. Hermione smiled.
"So my parents are out, but you still have to buy for your mother and the entire Whize family, which I did this morning. Anyone else? What about the Draco Malfoy fan club?" she asked, smirking after her last statement. Draco let out a short laugh.
"You mean Pansy, Crabbe, and Goyle? Why would I do that?" he asked in near astonishment. She shrugged with a smile. "Wait, you said the entire Whize family. What about Mr. Whize, you've never met him; how is that different from me buying for your parents?" he asked.
"Did you even hear what I said my parents would think? Number one, he is not my parents and number two, presents from girls are much less suspicious than presents from boys. All girls shop for everyone they can think of, it's normal. As you clearly stated, boys don't do shopping. It makes sense," she said, sounding care-free. "Plus, I got them a family gift, not individual ones. Well...except Lucifer, I couldn't resist the infant section; everything is so adorable." Draco shook his head and rolled his eyes.
"Girls. So let's see, I've got Mum, the Whizes, you, of course, and Harry and Ron. I should probably get them something anyway; to look good, if not because I want to. I think that's it. Wow, that's a depressingly small amount of people," he said, but didn't sound depressed; it was more than last year.
"I'm not much better, I have everyone you said plus the Weasley's, Ginny, and my parents. Still not that many, but if your goal is universal popularity, you're going to be waiting a long time," she said, also sounding cheerful. There was silence for a while and Draco just looked around the corridor with an expression of thought on his face.
"Hey, Hermione...why are there no Christmas decorations? If it is the day you say it is, shouldn't Peeves be walking around with mistletoe, catching unsuspecting couples? And where's the snow? I love the snow they have inside," he sounded almost disappointed. "That's usually when I go shopping, when it starts to snow inside and I'm forced to kiss people I don't even know; gets me into the holiday spirit." Hermione smiled and moved closer to him.
"I don't know, maybe they didn't think them necessary with only us," she suggested.
"Are you kidding? Dumbledore would do it if it were just him and Snape, much less the head boy and girl." Hermione gasped and put her spare hand to her forehead. "What?" Draco asked, as always- concerned.
"We are head boy and girl aren't we?" she asked and Draco looked at her as if she were crazy.
"Yes, love, how could you forget? You only see the sign that says so every night before you go to bed. Hermione, have you really gone mad?" he asked with a smirk.
"Shut up, if we're head boy and girl, aren't we supposed to decorate the castle?" she asked, looking at him. Draco laughed.
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that. But we should ask Dumbledore before we just go enchanting snow, don't you think?" he asked.
"Yeah, but not right now," she said and kissed him on the cheek. Draco held his breath until she spoke again. "We have to go shopping!" she said and pulled him toward another corridor. Draco was much stronger and spun her back to him, letting her run into his chest. He pulled an arm tight around her, trapping her there. Hermione giggled as he kissed her, then kissed back; biting his lip softly. Draco smiled when they broke apart.
"Aren't we just full of surprises today?" he said, then dropped his grin. "Do we HAVE to go? Why can't we just stay here and you can surprise me some more," he suggested and Hermione kissed him again.
"After that whole conversation, you didn't actually think I was going to let you off with NOT going, did you? Yes, we are most defiantly going. Care to argue?" she said with a smirk, knowing he couldn't resist her. Draco rolled his eyes.
"Alright, I'll go. Bloody hell, what is it with girls and shopping with guys? I've never made you do anything guy-like with me. I could have taken you to watch Quidditch instead of that play. I was thinking about it, actually...not Quidditch per-say, but something you wouldn't like, just to piss you off," he told her, smirking.
"Oh, that's wonderful. How romantic, I'm flattered that you put so much thought into pissing me off, Draco. Really," she said sarcastically, then smiled; she knew he was kidding.
* * * * * * * * * *
Draco followed Hermione aimlessly though the streets of Hogsmeade. The trip wasn't entirely unpleasant for him; he was, after all, with her. He would do anything for her, she owned him, and she knew it. Draco was certain she felt that subtle power she held over him and was subconsciously glad she loved him. Power over a Malfoy was rarely possessed by anyone other than another Malfoy; in the wrong hands it could be dangerous.
"Draco, what are you planning on buying your mother?" Hermione asked, looking through a rack of robes, breaking Draco from his thoughts. They had bought very little, as it was a shopping trip for Draco and he was not an avid shopper. The couple drifted in and out of various shops, many of which they would never buy from.
"I don't know, I never do. She has everything," he said, sounding bland but caring.
"What did you get her last year?" she asked, trying to be of some assistance.
"Socks," he said seriously. Hermione stopped and looked at him as if he were insane. "I'm joking, love, I'm not that dense. Actually, I gave her a rather large assortment of chocolates. It was a flop, however; Lucius ate them all." He smiled at her and Hermione tried to smile back.
"Is it hard, being the first Christmas without your father?" she asked kindly. Draco nearly shrugged and continued looking at the robes in front of him.
"Yes and no. Lucius was a horrible person, so it's almost peaceful and serene without him. Happier; more Christmas-y. Then again, he was my father and he was family. He's been there for every wretched Christmas I can remember before school. Then I just stayed over vacation; glad to not be home but feeling guilty about leaving mum alone with him, knowing he'll get drunk and rape her.
"At least at school I don't have to sit in my room trying futilely to block out the screams." He sighed and looked at the paled and scared Hermione who stood a few feet away from him. "No, it's okay, don't look like that. Now is it understandable why I'm not wallowing in grief? This year will be so much better than last year and all the years past. This year, Lucius is dead, Mum is safe from certain torture, and you're here with me. What a happy Christmas," he said, taking a step closer and standing beside her. "I love you."
"I love you too," she said and leaned into him. "I'm sorry; that was just surreal and creepy. What you were saying, yes, but more so how you said it. Emotionless. Draco, sometimes you just creep me out."
"Um, I'm sorry?" he said, apologizing but unsure if that's what she was looking for. They began to walk toward the doors.
"Don't be. I just thought I'd tell you; if you ever wanted me to doubt my sanity, and/or yours, that would be the way to go about it." Draco laughed and opened the door for Hermione, letting her go first into the crowded street.
"Where to next, love?" he asked, coming from behind and wrapping his arms around her, his chin on her shoulder. Hermione turned her head to the side, letting her nose brush against Draco's cheek. She closed her eyes and shrugged.
"It doesn't matter, but we HAVE to go to Honeyduke's before we leave. I noticed my stash has mysteriously been emptied and it is vital to my health, and probably yours, that I replenish it as soon as possible. I can't believe I forgot to this morning, I walked right by the store and didn't even think about it...I guess I was preoccupied," she said and pulled his hands from her waist, keeping one and beginning to make her way down the street. Draco looked amused and curious.
"Your 'stash'? What are you talking about?" he asked as he walked beside her.
"Chocolate," she said, her voice dripping with desire. "My chocolate stash; I'm a teenage girl, Draco. A day without that sugary sustenance is like a day without... a kiss. Just can't do it, won't work." Draco smiled.
"Well, you certainly don't look like you eat all that much," he said and kissed her rosy cheek. "How is it that you talk about chocolate with more enthusiasm and excitement than you talk about me?" he asked with a fake pout. Hermione giggled.
"Because I have you; I don't have any chocolate."
"Oh great, now an imported commercial junk food with no nutritional value is officially more unattainable than I am? That's wonderful," Draco said with sarcasm. Hermione smiled and kissed his cheek. "So this stash of yours just mysteriously disappeared? Hm, wonder how that happened... maybe you should tell me where it is and I can investigate. My money's on your cat; it's certainly got room."
"Hey, don't insult my cat! And fat chance about me telling you where it is, I know what will come of that." Draco mocked a hurt look, accompanied by a fake pout. Hermione smiled. "That's adorable. Now, don't let me forget again, or you'll regret it later. You shall feel my wrath, pale grasshopper."
"Okay, now you're creeping me out; what the hell are you talking about? Did you just call me an insect? You think I'm bugging you now, I'll show you what bugging is like. You know nothing," he threatened her with an enormous grin. Hermione giggled.
"God, Draco. Get over yourself," she said in a kind tone that did not fit the statement.
"I suppose I could, but first I must get over you; and that will never happen," he said, leaning in to whisper it in her ear. Hermione felt her skin tingle where his cheek had nearly touched hers. Then, he pulled his head away and straightened up. "Let's find that muggle clothing store," he said, craning his neck in search.
"Why?" she asked, for no real reason. He could buy gifts there, why not? Draco looked at her with a half smile.
"Isn't that what you normally do on shopping trips? Try on a bunch of clothes and ask for opinions?" he asked.
"That's what I do on shopping trips with Ginny," she said, looking like she was caught in a dream she knew she was having. **What does he want to try on clothes for, anyway? Weird...**
"Well, what's Ginny got that I haven't got?" he asked, looking pout-y again. Hermione smiled deviously.
"Actually, I think it's what you've got that she hasn't..." she began, only to be cut of by a semi-shocked Draco.
"Hermione! You don't have to be so crude, you know. You could have said something like 'fashion sense' or 'she's a girl'," he said, smirking. Hermione shrugged.
"Sorry; I couldn't resist. You set yourself up for that one, you know. Besides, how do I know you have no fashion sense? All your clothes pretty much match each other and I've never been shopping with you before. The store is over there," she said, interrupting herself and pointing, then went back to making her point. "For all I know, you could have a better clothes-matching ability than... um... wait, has there EVER been a male with an eye for clothes?"
"I don't know, but you're rambling. Are we going to find out or not?" he asked and she shrugged.
"I guess," she agreed, still a little amused that he wanted to do something so feminine. The hand-clasped couple made their way into the surprisingly empty clothing shop. Most wizards would rather wear robes than muggle clothes, so they didn't make practical gifts and no one was hanging around buying them. Except Draco and Hermione, that is.
Hermione went frantic as soon as they crossed the threshold. Draco gapped at her in awe as she moved from rack to rack with amazing speed. She would, at almost every pause, pick up something to try on. Her pale grasshopper of a boyfriend snapped back to reality after a second and began to pick out a few selections for her as well.
After only a few minutes, Hermione headed off to the dressing room with an armful of garments. Draco followed her, toting a much smaller array. He handed them to Hermione just before she walked behind the curtain, then sat in the chair a few feet away. She looked at him, a little confused.
"You're just going to sit there and wait for me to try on stuff, just to give your opinion?" she asked, thinking that was rather odd. Seamus Finnegan probably wouldn't even enjoy doing that; and he was very 'feminine'.
"That would be the general idea, yes. We're trying to determine if I am possibly the first man in history with good fashion sense. I'm willing to do anything it takes," Draco said with a sarcastic smirk. Hermione shook her head and giggled, then slipped through the curtain with her arm full of clothes.
She came out first wearing black leather pants and a green, faux snake skin, tube-top that showed three or four inches of her midsection. Draco stared for a moment, then smiled widely and gave a slight nod. Hermione crossed her arms and cocked her hips.
"Right, get me a leather whip and some chains and we'll be all set," she said sarcastically. Draco jumped up with a smirk, as if to fulfill her request. Hermione shook her head at him and went back through the curtain.
This same routine continued for over an hour with both Hermione and Draco showing reactions ranging from laughter to shock to utter disgust. Hermione was enjoying herself; she loved to see Draco's reaction every time she opened the curtain and it made her heart flutter each time she pleased him.
"Aren't you getting bored?" Hermione asked, taking a step toward him while wearing a black sweater and stonewashed jeans, flared widely at the knee. Draco smiled as she came closer, trying to thing of something to clever to say, which for Draco Malfoy was not difficult.
"No way, it's like the best Christmas ever in slow motion; there may be some time between presents, but I get exactly what I wanted every time, just wrapped in different paper." Hermione was next to him now, kneeling between his legs while he sat in the solitary chair. She turned her head away and closed her eyes, trying to hide how good his words made her feel, but her smile told all. "What?" he asked placing a hand on her cheek. "Is it the popcorn again? We really should do something about that."
Hermione giggled a little and nodded before looking up into the smirking face of her Malfoy. She smiled as he leaned closer, closing her eyes in time for their lips to touch. Hermione wouldn't let the kiss get too good; they were in public after all. She pulled away gently so Draco would not misunderstand and smiled at him.
"I bet I could guess what Pansy would say if you said that to her," Hermione began and Draco frowned a little.
"Well, I would never say that to her...and why do we have to bring her up?" he asked and Hermione shrugged.
"You're nice to my old boyfriend, why shouldn't I be nice to your ex- girlfriend?" she said innocently. Draco sighed and rolled his eyes a little, but he was still smiling.
"All right, if I were in Gryffindor, you failed an exam, and I said that to Pansy, what would she say?" Hermione giggled and batted her eye lashes.
"Well Drakkie-po, why don't we go back to the castle so you can unwrap your Christmas present?" she purred, sounding very much like Pansy. Draco stared blankly at her and blinked.
"Okay, that was the creepiest thing I have ever heard in my life. Please refrain from ever trying to sound like Pansy again, it freaks me out in ways I never thought possible," he told her with a shell-shocked but serious look on his slightly over-paled face. Hermione giggled and he spoke again, this time smiling. "And I thought you were being nice, that wasn't very nice at all, for me or her, no matter how true it may be."
"Okay, maybe nice was too strong a word. How about conscious of? Or viciously jealous?" she said, speaking the last three words quietly. Draco started for a moment before speaking.
"Jealous? Why are you jealous of Pansy? I'd rather kiss Finnegan than spend ten minutes within a hundred foot radius of the wench. I never liked her at all, Hermione. I was just betrothed to her," he said calmly and Hermione's head popped up to look at him.
"Marry Pansy?" she asked, her heart racing with fear and anger, **Why did he get involved with me if he has to marry that bitch next year? How could he not have said?** "You have to marry her and you never thought to tell me?" she asked, anger apparent in her voice. Draco paled and hastily explained.
"No, Hermione, you don't understand. I wasn't legally betrothed, it was more like my father saying 'you shall marry the Parkinson girl or I will kick your ass.' He died, Hermione; I'm off the hook. Do you think I would hurt you like that; do you honestly think I could do that to you?
"I love you, Hermione, but I wouldn't have gotten involved if I knew I had to leave you. I swear I would never do that... I'm sorry." Hermione nodded and he embraced her. They hugged for a while, then Hermione pulled back, wiping a tear stained face. "Is that the last one?" he asked, changing the subject. Hermione smiled brightly, her mind back on clothes.
"There's one more; I saved the best one for last," she said, jumping up. Draco looked up at her with a smile and she leaned down again for a quick kiss before running back through the curtains. Draco sighed; **That was very close, stupid git. What the hell were you thinking, just blurting it out like that?** he thought and continued to curse himself until Hermione walked back through the curtain. The chair he was balancing on two legs fell backward when is eyes connected with her newest ensemble. Hermione immediately rushed to his side, but he had already stood up.
"You look b-beautiful," he said, rather awkwardly- much unlike him. Hermione giggled; she was wearing a cinnamon red dress, slim and skimpy, cut off an inch above the floor, and there were thin straps which crossed behind the very low cut back. It was a gorgeous dress, simple and elegant. She spun for him.
"Do you like it?" she asked and Draco nodded, unable to speak. "It's the last one," the dress-clad girl said, a little sadly.
"Do you want it?" he asked, finally finding words. Hermione smiled.
"Yes, but I'm not buying it. It's a little pricey and impractical. There's no ball this year, I wouldn't get a chance to wear it." Draco was a little disappointed; she looked stunning.
"There's always the Graduation Dance and I wouldn't dream of cutting into your chocolate account; it's on me," he said, attempting the impossible. When Hermione makes up her mind, there's no changing it. She smirked at him.
"Actually, right now it's on me, but I'd like to see it on you," she said before slipping back through the curtain.
"Haha, very funny. Where did you learn to twist words like that; me?" he called after her, straightening the chair.
"I only learn from the best," she called back, laughing. Hermione changed back into her original outfit, then exited with an armful of garments. Draco looked at her, noting that the pile was too small to be everything she had tried on. Then, his eyes noticed the spicy red dress on the top and stepped up to help.
"Here, let me take these and you can get the rest, alright? And I want you to pick out something, we're not leaving yet another store empty handed. Plus, we did spend over an hour in here without purpose, I think it's the least we can do to buy something," he said, taking the pile from her arms.
"Well, I guess you're right. We did have a purpose though, Drakkie-po. I now know that you have even less taste in clothes than Harry." He smiled a little.
"Oh great, another thing Potter is better at than me, and PLEASE don't call me that," he said; Hermione giggled.
"What, you want to have taste? I can just see you bragging to your Slytherin brigade, 'I have WAY more fashion sense than Potter. He couldn't match shoes to save his life,'" she finished with a giggle.
"No, I suppose not. Run along and get the rest of the clothes; Honeyduke's closes in three hours, it might take us that long to put all of this back. Remember to save something love, anything, I don't care." Hermione giggled and pecked his cheek before turning back to the dressing room with a nod. As Draco had expected, it took her a few minutes to decide what to keep, that was good, he was counting on that. He hastily put things away, most where they were supposed to go, than dashed off to the other side of the store.
Hermione stood behind the curtain, looking at the array of clothing she had been left with. **Something black; Draco likes black...** she decided and extracted all of the black items. ** Now, what do I look best in?** she asked herself, remembering what each item looked like. She finally decided on a shirt she had not shown Draco. When Hermione had put it on, she didn't like the way it had looked with her current pant selection and changed out of it.
She did love the shirt, she had just forgotten to put it back on for him. It was black, of course, and comfortable. The main part was simple cotton, tied in the front in a Renaissance style. From the shoulders, the long sleeves were sheer, but also black, exposing her arms. The same, fish net like, material cascaded from below her breasts, creating a semi-translucent curtain and uncovering her navel.
**Revealing, black, and I look damn good in it. He'll love it,** she decided and concealed it under the other clothes, then she exited the room.
Hermione looked around for Draco, but for a moment couldn't find him. His blonde hair caught her eye, however, and she spotted him near the counter, seemly talking to the man behind it. **Shit, how am I going to do this?** she thought, biting her lip. Draco glanced over at her from the man, then did a double take and excused himself from the conversation. The man looked toward Hermione, then back to Draco as he asked something. The man smiled and nodded in answer to Draco's question and Draco started toward Hermione.
"All set then?" he asked after coming close enough to her and kissing her below the ear. She smiled and nodded.
"Here, could you put these away while I go check out? Meet me over there, you'll probably be done before I am." Draco nodded and took the pile of clothes from her. Hermione made sure to keep the black top tight in her hand and kissed his cheek quickly in distraction before turning to the counter. Draco saw that the item was black, but didn't see much more of the detail.
"Hey, don't you want me to-" he began, but she wasn't listening. He watched her make her way to the desk, then turned and began putting things away again. As he had expected, but evidently Hermione didn't, she finished checking out before Draco finished putting away the clothes. When he finally was done, Draco turned to see Hermione talking with the clerk, seemingly having an enjoyable conversation. He felt a thin wave of jealousy wash over him and he walked toward the conversing couple.
"Hermione?" he asked when he was close enough, not bothering to wait for a break in speech. She stopped talking and turned to him with a smile. "Ready?" he asked, trying to hold in his mild rage and speak kindly. Hermione looked at the clerk, then back to Draco, all the while keeping her smile.
"Yes, of course," she said and turned to walk away. Draco followed close behind, shooting daggers over his should at the man, his eyes an icy steel. The man frowned a bit and turned away. Draco followed Hermione out of the store, then grabbed her free hand. He smiled at her, anger leaving his body with her touch.
"My, aren't we possessive?" Hermione said with an incredulous eyebrow. Draco looked at her with mild confusion.
"What?" he asked, leading her down the street to Honeyduke's.
"Don't act all innocent now, you were jealous of me talking to that store clerk, weren't you?" Draco opened his mouth in shock, **Was it that obvious? Denial is always the way to go...**
"I most certainly was not," he said, sounding more childish than he had anticipated.
"Yeah right, don't think I didn't see the look you gave him when we left," she said, hand on her hip. **Change the subject, right now, stupid git,** he told himself.
"Hey, how about when we get back, you keep trying on clothes? I can take notes, work up my fashion IQ. I'd rather study you than potions any day," he suggested and kissed her cheek.
"Sure Draco, then we can paint our nails and have a pillow fight. Jeez, you're so weird; you sound just like Ginny," she said, smiling. Draco stepped in front of her, stopping her from continuing to walk.
"Well, would Ginny do this?" he asked and swept her into a kiss, right in the middle of the street. Draco smiled as they broke apart and Hermione smirked.
"I certainly hope not, or we've got a lot of explaining to do to Ron. Wait, 'would Ginny do this', why does that sound familiar?" she asked, contemplation a question she knew the answer to, "Ah, that's right: that's the line you used to prove that you weren't Malfoy," she reminded him and was cut off. Draco faked a wince and brought a hand to his cheek.
"You're not going to prove you're not Granger again, are you? I believe you, there's no need for violence," he said, faking fear. Hermione just ignored him.
"...so if you're not Ginny and you're not Malfoy, who the hell are you and what did you do with my friends?" she asked, taking his hand in hers.
"I'm Drakkie-po and I brought them to Honeyduke's to be embossed in chocolate. Happy Christmas," he said and opened the door to the candy shop they were now in front of. Hermione giggled and walked in, flanked by her boyfriend.
As it was nearly six, there were only a few people left in the shop. Hermione walked straight up to the elderly man behind the counter and the man smiled when he saw her.
"Hermione! Back so soon? I wouldn't be expectin' to see you in need of a fill up already; the usual?"
"Yes, thanks Herm. The past couple of weeks have been a little stressful, I plowed through that stuff like you wouldn't believe," she told the old man as he began to place an assortment of wizard and muggle chocolates into a box. He laughed at her statement and continued filling her order while talking. Draco remained silent and simply watched from the side with a smile.
"Who's your friend? I though all the students were home, 'ceptin you and the Head Lad," he asked, still smiling. Hermione beamed.
"Actually, this is the Head Boy, Herm. Draco Malfoy," she turned to Draco, "Herman Honeyduke." Draco smiled and nodded to the man.
"I've seen you in here before, never alone though... always with the school trips," Herm said, almost to himself.
"Well, technically we're not supposed to come alone. However, I must come for my rations," Hermione said. The man laughed another hearty laugh and closed the box he was filling, placing it on the glass counter. His eyes went from Draco to Hermione a few times as Hermione dug into her pouch for exact change.
"So... you two got a thing or something?" he asked with a 'don't blame the old for stating the obvious' look. Hermione smiled, but Draco answered.
"You could say that," he said, sounding proud, and placing a hand on the small of her back. Hermione placed the money in the store owner's hand, then thanked him and picked up her box. She walked to the exit with Draco in tails and the older man waved to them as they left. "You have a usual and are on a first name basis with the shop owner?" Draco asked suspiciously when they were safely outside.
"Yep, I told you I needed it." Draco shook his head and walked beside her toward the gates. "So why are you not jealous of Herm, as you were that other guy?" she asked with a smirk.
"Because I think it's cute," he said smoothly, "Herman and Hermione. You just click, no point in being jealous." Hermione punched him lightly and awkwardly as she was holding the box.
"So you admit it," she said, smirking at the implication.
"Maybe," Draco said, sounding as if it weren't important at all; keeping his eyes ahead of him. Hermione shook her head
"You shouldn't have told him we were an item, Draco. He'll tell everyone," she said as they passed through the gate to Hogwarts grounds, not sounding like she cared that much.
"So? They'll all know eventually anyway. I don't care what everyone knows, I just... here, let me take that box," he cut himself off when he noticed how awkward she was holding it with her other bags in hand. Hermione seemed to hesitate a moment before giving it to him. "Oh, come on Hermione; I'm not going to eat it," he said with a smile and she finally handed it over.
"If you were Ron you would," she said as she adjusted her bags more comfortably. Draco smirked and after a pause Hermione smirked back. "Don't try proving you're not; Ron WOULD probably do that if I let him, he has before. Well, actually, that's an exaggeration. No one has ever kissed me the way you kiss me."
"Nor ever will if I have anything to do with it," he said, holding the box against one hip and letting the other arm slid around her. She smiled for a moment, then looked as if she were in deep thought.
"Call me stupid, but what's that supposed to mean?" she asked, sounding curious and not angry. Draco smiled.
"That I'll kick the ass of anyone who comes near you and I'd never call you stupid. Insane, yes, but no; you're not stupid," he said and placed a kiss behind her ear.
"Gee, thanks," she said sarcastically and Draco laughed. He stole another kiss, this time from the corner of her mouth.
A/N AWWW.... someone asked for more fluffy scenes, so here you go. What's more romantic than trying on clothes? Haha, j/k, but they did have that whole Seattle thing, that was pretty romantic, I think. No Quidditch, at least....
Sorry about all the clothing details, I just can't help it.
PRF:
Candledot - Wow, lots of reviews...
-Thanx, I like my writing style too...lol. Snape, huh? That guy always just creeped me out. He's evil in my story later; word of warning.
-and hopefully, it'll get EVEN better, lol
-Wow... so many wonderful adjectives!
- Has there every been any such thing as a GOOD cliffy? Lol, or... an un- nasty one? Lol
-It's not the best I've ever seen. I think the best one was that story where Lucius gains the mind of a 5-year-old.... that cracked me up! But evil psycho Percy just makes sense. It's one of those things where you hear it and you're like "WHAT? Actually, Everything fucking fits! That was soooo obvious!" lol
Lily Rainwater- Thank you for standing up for me! I KNEW I was right! Lol. I too am glad for the day to day progression, however... it does tend to become a little tedious and restricting, not to mention makes a damn long story...
Prantis - Queen of Hearts - Actually, there was no butter, but that would have been a good idea; lol!
Meggiebaby81- Thanx, I appreciate that! As word of warning; Draco won't be meeting the Grangers until that summer, so it won't be until the sequel. Sorry, you don't have any idea what I'm talking about... well, I'm gonna do this story through Christmas and New Years, then deal with all the 'OMG a Gryffindor and a Slytherin?!' problems, then just skip most of the school year and start a sequel as the summer begins. So be on the lookout! Hehe.
Hasapi - Yea! Lot's o' reviews!
-Of course Draco is a sweetie! He's the sweetest thing on a nimbus, baby!
-Yea! I'm improving! So happy! It helps when I re-read it after I type it... corrects a lot of mistakes that way.
-He just can't win with this tea thing, can he? Haven't these people ever heard of the triad? Lol.
-Yes, I sort-of did that on purpose. Creates conflict. More on the subject of inter-linen relations in later chapters, along with an explanation on why Draco freaked out so badly. The next chapter, I believe.
-Yeah, these kids are high on life, and have way too much in common. Oh well, I guess they'll have to deal with it. And yes, I underestimate people... it's a habit. I'm not really TRYING to do anything, here... just basically trying to get them through this little post-traumatic slump they're in, here. I think their biggest problem is that they spend too much time together, which is hard to avoid. I mean, I don't want to get into that 'You're smothering me, can't I just go do something by myself for a while?' thing, but seriously; how many people spend a full twenty four hours with someone like that? With no classes, they have way too much time on their hands. Meaning; when classes start, then summer, they'll have a better relationship. The whole prospect of loneliness brings people together. And, if you miss someone, you won't take them for granted.
