Chapter Thirteen:
(A/N. Hey faithful readers! Thanks to everyone who reviewed! I'm loving the positive feed-back! Guess what? The dance is coming up and I'm feeling VERY romantic so maybe a little snogging? Heehee! Okay keep reviewing!)
Hermione awoke, showered and changed. She went out to wait for Draco. She waited for a while bit it was getting late and he hadn't come out. She knocked on his door but heard nothing. She slowly opened the door and walked in. Draco was lying on the bed face up, wearing nothing but a pair of silken emerald green boxers. She blushed as she admired his muscular body. She cleared her throat.
"Um, Draco? Draco!" She called, the second one louder than the first. Draco still didn't move though she could see he was asleep by the even rising and falling of his broad chest. She hesitantly stepped forward. She reached out a hand and gently touched his bare arm. She screamed as he grabbed her arm and lunged forward with a strange predatory grace. He pulled her arm forward and grabbed her shoulders roughly, his eyes wild and his teeth bared. Suddenly his eyes focused on her and he let her go making her stumble backwards. He dropped into bed and put his head in his hands.
"Oh god! I'm sorry, Hermione. I thought…I thought you were someone else…" He said softly. She shuddered. Who had he thought she was to make him react so violently? She took a step backward and her hand floundered for the doorknob.
"Um, we'll be leaving soon. You'd better get ready." She whispered. He nodded and stood up heading for the bathroom. That's when she saw a series of marks on his back. White lines from his broad shoulders down to the small of his back. Whip marks. She shuddered and walked out. She sat down on the couch heavily. Who could have done that to him? She didn't notice that tears were slipping down her cheeks until she felt a droplet fall on her tightly clenched hand. She looked down at her hands. The knuckles were white and she had small crescent marks on her palm where her nails had dug into her skin. She wiped her tears away. By the time Draco came out ten minutes later, she was sitting as composed as ever reading her book.
"Ready?" He asked with a small smiled. She nodded and left the book on the couch as she got up.
"Yeah, let's go." She smiled. They went outside and onto a large bus. Draco grimaced as he sat down on the green plastic seats. The bus started off and Hermione talked quietly to Draco about Williamsburg, which was where they were going.
"It is the colonial capital of Virginia and was restored to its 18th century appearance although there are still many modern shops." Hermione was saying as the bus slowed. Draco just smiled at her. They unloaded from the bus and they walked around a while until Hermione spotted a shop fro men's clothing. She tugged Draco's arm and led him into the store. She knew what would be perfect for Draco. An attendant came up to them, a scowl on his face.
"Can I help you?" He demanded haughtily staring down his large nose at them. Hermione gently pushed Draco forward.
"He'd like a black Armani suit tailored to him." Hermione said. The man gave a loud sniff.
"How will he be paying?"
"Cash." Draco snarled his grey eyes flashing as he tossed a large pack of crisp hundred dollar bills onto the table next to him. The man's whole demeanor changed and he put on an oily smile.
"Of course. This way."
"He's so smarmy!" Draco snarled. Hermione laughed and grabbed his arm to keep him from following the man.
"I'm going to go get a dress. The man will give you everything you need." She whispered. He nodded and she walked away. His hand on her arm stopped her.
"You've helped me so much. Let me pay for your dress." He said and stuffed some bills into her hand. Before she could protest he twirled her around and gently pushed her out the door. She laughed and walked away. She was walking for a while when she saw a store selling formal dresses. She went inside and was browsing through the racks looking for the perfect dress. She it at the back of the room. She smiled, it was perfect. She paid for it with Draco's money and went out. She went back to the men's store and found Draco waiting outside his arms crossed and his head held up regally. He smiled at her and he picked up his bag. They went into a small coffee shop and they had a pleasant brunch. They talked quietly and Hermione told Draco some stories about her years at Hogwarts. Soon it was time to go and they all piled back into the yellow bus. They got back to camp and were informed they had the rest of the day free as well. Draco challenged Hermione to a game of wizard's chess and he taught Hermione some techniques. He was actually quite good and Hermione thought that Ron might have met his equal. When 6:00 came around Hermione got up.
"I'm going to get ready." She smiled. Draco nodded and started to clean up. She went into her room to get ready.
Draco got up and went to his room as well. He opened the package and took out the suit. He quickly took a shower and dressed. He spiked up his hair. He took out the tie and tried to figure out how to put it on. He heard a knock on the door.
"Come in." He called frowning at the silver tie. He sighed in frustration at the piece of fabric. And dropped it as the door opened. He gasped. Hermione wore a thigh length silvery blue dress with thin straps and a low neckline. She wore a silver necklace with a sapphire pendant shaped like a droplet, which hung just below her collarbone, and matching earrings. Her hair had been smoothed down and it hung down her back in a gentle cascade of silky brown hair. She had on just enough makeup to accent her beautiful features. She blushed under his gaze. He walked forward and gently pushed a stray strand of hr hair back from her angelic face. She was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. This night would be magical, he was sure of that. No matter what the future held for them he was sure of that sole fact.
