Chapter 14
Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot.
The next day, Draco asked Hermione out to Hogsmeade. But she was very reluctant to go.
"What if I see Harry?" Hermione said. "I'm not yet ready to talk to him! I'm not even sure if he still wants to see me. But I bet he doesn't!"
"Hermione, stop mumbling! We'll just buy some clothes for you, then maybe we'll eat lunch there, and then we'll go back here," Draco explained.
"Lunch? Do you know how many people eat lunch at Hogsmeade? A whole lot! The reason why I decided to stay here is to hide myself from as many people as possible. And then you want to bring me in a place like that! No way!"
"Relax! We won't be eating inside a cheap fast food restaurant where people crowd to order hamburgers and fries. I'm taking you to an expensive Italian Restaurant, where only rich wizards and witches dine in. You'll love it there!"
Hermione still wasn't sure. It was still a gamble. She can't take the risk of being seen, if by not Harry, by Ron. She was quite sure Ron has heard the news and the moment he sees her he won't waste a second trying to convince her to go back.
Draco was eagerly waiting for her reply, and when he was about to give up, Hermione suddenly spoke. "Fine, I'll go. But we can't stay long there. And the moment I see Harry or Ron or anyone whom I don't desire to speak to, I'll right away apparate back here. And you choose can follow me or not."
Draco was relieved she finally agreed. He knew it would be good for her to go out every once in a while, and he'll make sure that she'll be happy while they're out together.
***
They arrived at Hogsmeade a hour before noon. And Draco quickly dragged Hermione inside one of the dress shops to find her some clothes. Hermione didn't like the idea of Draco spending money for her, but after swearing he'll never speak to her again if she doesn't agree, Hermione finally gave in.
"Here, try this one!" It was the fifth one Draco had tossed to Hermione to try. But none of them suited her tastes.
"Maybe we should just forget this whole thing. None of these clothes obviously fits me," Hermione said, studying the black dress Draco handed her.
"Well, there are four more stores we can check, if you like," Draco said while scanning a line of hanged dress robes.
"Draco, you really don't have to do this. I have quite a number of clothes on my closet. I don't really need to buy some more," Hermione answered, leaving the black dress on one of the stands.
But as she reached the end of the aisle, one dress caught Hermione's eyes. She quickly picked it up and lifted it get a better look. It was lavender, not Hermione's usual color, but it was so elegantly sawn that she couldn't resist looking at it. She brought it in front of the mirror and flashed it in front of her body. Seeing that it fitted her size, Hermione hid herself behind the curtains to put it on.
Hermione emerged from the curtains wearing the dress. It fell just below her knees and tugged her waist perfectly. It hung just a few inches below her neck, which revealed her emerald necklace. At the same time, Draco turned around to look for Hermione, and when he saw her looking like that, his mouth dropped open, and his eyes surveyed her with awe from head to foot.
"What, you don't like it?" Hermione asked him.
"Me? I. I. it's perfect, Hermione," was all Draco could say.
"Thanks," Hermione said, turning around and watching the dress spin with her. "I kinda like it."
"Then I'll buy it!" Draco announced.
When Hermione had changed back to her clothes and had brought the dress to the saleslady, she was shocked to hear its price. "Fifty galleons? For a dress? That's too much!"
Hermione was about to put it back, but Draco stopped her. "We'll take it," Draco told the saleslady.
Charging the dress to his bank account, Draco took the brown paper bag which held the dress.
"Draco, you really didn't have to pay 50 galleons just for my dress," Hermione said as they exited the store.
"Don't worry about it. It was nothing," he replied.
"Don't you ever run out of money? I thought your father kicked you out of the manor. Didn't he cut your allowance?"
Draco chortled. "I don't get allowances, Hermione. I have my own bank account. And besides, it's signed under my grandfather's name, not Lucius's, so he can't do anything about it."
"But still it was too expensive for a normal person's clothes," Hermione said, tugging behind him.
"But you're not normal," Draco replied.
Hermione grabbed him by the arm which caused him to stop and turn around to face her. "What do mean I'm not normal?" she asked, eyebrows raised.
"Well, you're not," Draco answered. "You're mine."
Hermione's eyes widened but she looked down as she felt herself blush. Realizing what he had said, Draco turned red as well. "I. I think we should eat lunch now," he said, turning to walk ahead.
"Yah, yah, sure," Hermione answered, watching Draco's retreating back.
***
They ate at an Italian Restaurant, as Draco had said. At first, none of them spoke. But when the waiter approached them, Draco was forced to ask Hermione what she wanted to eat. Hermione wasn't sure, so Draco proceeded to order them some pizza, pasta, and red wine.
They both ate in silence and avoiding each other's eyes. However, every now and then Hermione would watch Draco from the corner of her eyes to observe his expression. But she realized it was hard to discern what Draco was thinking at the moment. His face was serious and showed no expression at all. He just concentrated on eating, his head constantly bent down.
The last time Hermione gazed at Draco, his eyes caught hers. "What are you staring at?" Draco asked.
"Nothing," she said, shifting uncomfortably, but trying to hide her smile.
"Draco," Hermione began.
"What?" he said, voice raised.
"Geesh, Draco, hold your temper," she said slightly raising her hands.
Draco took a sip of wine from his chalice, and picked up his napkin to wipe his mouth. "Let's go," he said, suddenly standing up.
"Wait," Hermione said, grabbing his arm. "Let's stay here for a while. I want to talk."
"Fine. About what?" he said, sitting down.
"Um." Hermione began. ".let's just forget it."
Draco looked up and pounded on the table, which caused other people to look. "Look, you made us stay here. You said you wanted to talk! Stop wasting my time and---"
His words were cut off when Hermione suddenly leaned forward and gave him a short kiss. "Thank you for caring about me," she said afterwards, blushing.
Draco turned the deepest shade of red. Hermione had kissed her again, and to no avail.
"Hermione," he said, much calmer. "I'm sorry for how I acted."
"A while ago or before that?" Hermione asked, smiling.
"Both," Draco answered.
"Let's just forget about it," she said once more.
Draco shook his head. "We can't just ignore what I told you outside, before we entered the restaurant. Do you still remember?"
Hermione pretended to think. "Oh yes, I remember, you told me I wasn't normal!" she declared.
"Um, a little after that," Draco said, biting his lower lip and looking down.
Hermione reached for his face and lifted up his chin so that he would look at her. "I know you didn't mean it like that. I understand how you feel. I'm glad you care about me," she explained.
Draco merely nodded. She then moved her hands to his hair and started combing it with her fingers. After which, she took a sip from her chalice and surveyed the glass to distract herself from the silence. Then she heard him speak.
"Hermione, do you consider me as a friend?"
Hermione put the chalice down and smiled at him. "Of course, I do. What kind of question is that?"
"I just don't understand how you manage do to this," he replied.
"Do what?"
"Open your heart to me. I know we are past the issue that I hurt you before, but how do you manage to let your heart accept a new friendship, and take the risk of getting hurt again?" he said.
"Because it's better than taking none at all," she answered. "Yes, I've been hurt a lot, especially lately. But the only thing that keeps me going is the kind of friendship you are offering me. It's my only security."
"How can you be sure that I won't hurt you again? When I think I almost did a few minutes ago?"
"I can never be sure," she answered, looking down. "But what I'm sure of is that when that time comes, you never intended it to happen," she added, looking up to him once more.
"Friendship is both wonderful and dangerous," Draco uttered. "It opens a door for both happiness and sadness."
"Where there is happiness, there is sadness, Draco. They always co-exist, to maintain the balance," Hermione responded.
"But why can't we just take all the happiness and throw away the sadness? No person wants to be lonely," he said.
Hermione looked through the window. "Because without the sorrow, we can never appreciate joy," she answered. She just stared out the window without speaking another word, while Draco watched her. Hermione was thinking deep thoughts, and Draco could very well see that. "Friends make us happy, and they also make us sad, especially when they go," she said, finally turning to look back at Draco.
"But if friendship is such a powerful thing, why does it come to a time when friends have to leave you, and hurt you in doing so?" Draco asked again.
"Real friends don't leave each other, Draco, they just part ways. And in the process they meet new people and create new friendships, forming new bonds, sharing more experiences" she explained, looking him in the eye. "But in heart and in spirit, they are always together."
"Then I guess you will never leave me, Hermione," he said, holding her hand.
Hermione piled her free hand over Draco's, reminding her of their conversation just the day before. "As long as my heart can love and my soul is free, I will never leave you," she sincerely told him.
***
Draco and Hermione decided to extend their stay outside by visiting more stores in Hogsmeade. Hermione deliberately avoided the places where Harry and Ron would most likely go. They even skipped Fred and George's joke shop to avoid any possible confrontation from them. She knew the twins well enough to know that they will never let something like this pass.
They stopped at an ice cream store and Draco ordered chocolate while Hermione ordered vanilla. They sat on one of the benches while watching a lot of people pass by. Halfway in eating her ice cream, Hermione suddenly jumped from the bench and hid behind it.
"Hermione, what are you doing?" Draco asked, startled by her.
Hermione pointed her fingers through the space in the bench and when Draco followed it, he realized why she suddenly acted so strange. It was Ron. He just emerged from the joke shop, carrying a heavy bag. Upon seeing him turn to an alley and out of site, Hermione stood up and saw her ice cream cone smashed on the floor. She had accidentally dropped it in her hurry to hide.
"Now, what do you intend to do," Draco asked as he stood up to go beside her, licking his cone.
"Um," Hermione started. "Can we go home now?"
***
When they were home, Hermione dropped on the couch and laid there like a lifeless log. "Are you sure he didn't see me?"
"Positive," Draco replied, sitting on the vacant space on the couch.
"Good," she said. "Because that was close."
They heard the bell ring and Draco stood up to open the door. "That's probably the land lady," he said. Hermione didn't budge and just laid there.
Shortly after, Draco came back looking very pale. Hermione looked up at him wondering what the matter was. "Draco, who was it?" she asked him.
"Hermione, when we were at Hogsmeade, what if Ron saw you and approached you? What would you tell him?" he said, looking down at her, his voice full of uneasiness.
"I'll tell him I'm not ready to talk," she answered. "Why?"
"Well," Draco retreated back to the door and opened it slightly to reveal the visitor. "Because Ron's here now."
Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot.
The next day, Draco asked Hermione out to Hogsmeade. But she was very reluctant to go.
"What if I see Harry?" Hermione said. "I'm not yet ready to talk to him! I'm not even sure if he still wants to see me. But I bet he doesn't!"
"Hermione, stop mumbling! We'll just buy some clothes for you, then maybe we'll eat lunch there, and then we'll go back here," Draco explained.
"Lunch? Do you know how many people eat lunch at Hogsmeade? A whole lot! The reason why I decided to stay here is to hide myself from as many people as possible. And then you want to bring me in a place like that! No way!"
"Relax! We won't be eating inside a cheap fast food restaurant where people crowd to order hamburgers and fries. I'm taking you to an expensive Italian Restaurant, where only rich wizards and witches dine in. You'll love it there!"
Hermione still wasn't sure. It was still a gamble. She can't take the risk of being seen, if by not Harry, by Ron. She was quite sure Ron has heard the news and the moment he sees her he won't waste a second trying to convince her to go back.
Draco was eagerly waiting for her reply, and when he was about to give up, Hermione suddenly spoke. "Fine, I'll go. But we can't stay long there. And the moment I see Harry or Ron or anyone whom I don't desire to speak to, I'll right away apparate back here. And you choose can follow me or not."
Draco was relieved she finally agreed. He knew it would be good for her to go out every once in a while, and he'll make sure that she'll be happy while they're out together.
***
They arrived at Hogsmeade a hour before noon. And Draco quickly dragged Hermione inside one of the dress shops to find her some clothes. Hermione didn't like the idea of Draco spending money for her, but after swearing he'll never speak to her again if she doesn't agree, Hermione finally gave in.
"Here, try this one!" It was the fifth one Draco had tossed to Hermione to try. But none of them suited her tastes.
"Maybe we should just forget this whole thing. None of these clothes obviously fits me," Hermione said, studying the black dress Draco handed her.
"Well, there are four more stores we can check, if you like," Draco said while scanning a line of hanged dress robes.
"Draco, you really don't have to do this. I have quite a number of clothes on my closet. I don't really need to buy some more," Hermione answered, leaving the black dress on one of the stands.
But as she reached the end of the aisle, one dress caught Hermione's eyes. She quickly picked it up and lifted it get a better look. It was lavender, not Hermione's usual color, but it was so elegantly sawn that she couldn't resist looking at it. She brought it in front of the mirror and flashed it in front of her body. Seeing that it fitted her size, Hermione hid herself behind the curtains to put it on.
Hermione emerged from the curtains wearing the dress. It fell just below her knees and tugged her waist perfectly. It hung just a few inches below her neck, which revealed her emerald necklace. At the same time, Draco turned around to look for Hermione, and when he saw her looking like that, his mouth dropped open, and his eyes surveyed her with awe from head to foot.
"What, you don't like it?" Hermione asked him.
"Me? I. I. it's perfect, Hermione," was all Draco could say.
"Thanks," Hermione said, turning around and watching the dress spin with her. "I kinda like it."
"Then I'll buy it!" Draco announced.
When Hermione had changed back to her clothes and had brought the dress to the saleslady, she was shocked to hear its price. "Fifty galleons? For a dress? That's too much!"
Hermione was about to put it back, but Draco stopped her. "We'll take it," Draco told the saleslady.
Charging the dress to his bank account, Draco took the brown paper bag which held the dress.
"Draco, you really didn't have to pay 50 galleons just for my dress," Hermione said as they exited the store.
"Don't worry about it. It was nothing," he replied.
"Don't you ever run out of money? I thought your father kicked you out of the manor. Didn't he cut your allowance?"
Draco chortled. "I don't get allowances, Hermione. I have my own bank account. And besides, it's signed under my grandfather's name, not Lucius's, so he can't do anything about it."
"But still it was too expensive for a normal person's clothes," Hermione said, tugging behind him.
"But you're not normal," Draco replied.
Hermione grabbed him by the arm which caused him to stop and turn around to face her. "What do mean I'm not normal?" she asked, eyebrows raised.
"Well, you're not," Draco answered. "You're mine."
Hermione's eyes widened but she looked down as she felt herself blush. Realizing what he had said, Draco turned red as well. "I. I think we should eat lunch now," he said, turning to walk ahead.
"Yah, yah, sure," Hermione answered, watching Draco's retreating back.
***
They ate at an Italian Restaurant, as Draco had said. At first, none of them spoke. But when the waiter approached them, Draco was forced to ask Hermione what she wanted to eat. Hermione wasn't sure, so Draco proceeded to order them some pizza, pasta, and red wine.
They both ate in silence and avoiding each other's eyes. However, every now and then Hermione would watch Draco from the corner of her eyes to observe his expression. But she realized it was hard to discern what Draco was thinking at the moment. His face was serious and showed no expression at all. He just concentrated on eating, his head constantly bent down.
The last time Hermione gazed at Draco, his eyes caught hers. "What are you staring at?" Draco asked.
"Nothing," she said, shifting uncomfortably, but trying to hide her smile.
"Draco," Hermione began.
"What?" he said, voice raised.
"Geesh, Draco, hold your temper," she said slightly raising her hands.
Draco took a sip of wine from his chalice, and picked up his napkin to wipe his mouth. "Let's go," he said, suddenly standing up.
"Wait," Hermione said, grabbing his arm. "Let's stay here for a while. I want to talk."
"Fine. About what?" he said, sitting down.
"Um." Hermione began. ".let's just forget it."
Draco looked up and pounded on the table, which caused other people to look. "Look, you made us stay here. You said you wanted to talk! Stop wasting my time and---"
His words were cut off when Hermione suddenly leaned forward and gave him a short kiss. "Thank you for caring about me," she said afterwards, blushing.
Draco turned the deepest shade of red. Hermione had kissed her again, and to no avail.
"Hermione," he said, much calmer. "I'm sorry for how I acted."
"A while ago or before that?" Hermione asked, smiling.
"Both," Draco answered.
"Let's just forget about it," she said once more.
Draco shook his head. "We can't just ignore what I told you outside, before we entered the restaurant. Do you still remember?"
Hermione pretended to think. "Oh yes, I remember, you told me I wasn't normal!" she declared.
"Um, a little after that," Draco said, biting his lower lip and looking down.
Hermione reached for his face and lifted up his chin so that he would look at her. "I know you didn't mean it like that. I understand how you feel. I'm glad you care about me," she explained.
Draco merely nodded. She then moved her hands to his hair and started combing it with her fingers. After which, she took a sip from her chalice and surveyed the glass to distract herself from the silence. Then she heard him speak.
"Hermione, do you consider me as a friend?"
Hermione put the chalice down and smiled at him. "Of course, I do. What kind of question is that?"
"I just don't understand how you manage do to this," he replied.
"Do what?"
"Open your heart to me. I know we are past the issue that I hurt you before, but how do you manage to let your heart accept a new friendship, and take the risk of getting hurt again?" he said.
"Because it's better than taking none at all," she answered. "Yes, I've been hurt a lot, especially lately. But the only thing that keeps me going is the kind of friendship you are offering me. It's my only security."
"How can you be sure that I won't hurt you again? When I think I almost did a few minutes ago?"
"I can never be sure," she answered, looking down. "But what I'm sure of is that when that time comes, you never intended it to happen," she added, looking up to him once more.
"Friendship is both wonderful and dangerous," Draco uttered. "It opens a door for both happiness and sadness."
"Where there is happiness, there is sadness, Draco. They always co-exist, to maintain the balance," Hermione responded.
"But why can't we just take all the happiness and throw away the sadness? No person wants to be lonely," he said.
Hermione looked through the window. "Because without the sorrow, we can never appreciate joy," she answered. She just stared out the window without speaking another word, while Draco watched her. Hermione was thinking deep thoughts, and Draco could very well see that. "Friends make us happy, and they also make us sad, especially when they go," she said, finally turning to look back at Draco.
"But if friendship is such a powerful thing, why does it come to a time when friends have to leave you, and hurt you in doing so?" Draco asked again.
"Real friends don't leave each other, Draco, they just part ways. And in the process they meet new people and create new friendships, forming new bonds, sharing more experiences" she explained, looking him in the eye. "But in heart and in spirit, they are always together."
"Then I guess you will never leave me, Hermione," he said, holding her hand.
Hermione piled her free hand over Draco's, reminding her of their conversation just the day before. "As long as my heart can love and my soul is free, I will never leave you," she sincerely told him.
***
Draco and Hermione decided to extend their stay outside by visiting more stores in Hogsmeade. Hermione deliberately avoided the places where Harry and Ron would most likely go. They even skipped Fred and George's joke shop to avoid any possible confrontation from them. She knew the twins well enough to know that they will never let something like this pass.
They stopped at an ice cream store and Draco ordered chocolate while Hermione ordered vanilla. They sat on one of the benches while watching a lot of people pass by. Halfway in eating her ice cream, Hermione suddenly jumped from the bench and hid behind it.
"Hermione, what are you doing?" Draco asked, startled by her.
Hermione pointed her fingers through the space in the bench and when Draco followed it, he realized why she suddenly acted so strange. It was Ron. He just emerged from the joke shop, carrying a heavy bag. Upon seeing him turn to an alley and out of site, Hermione stood up and saw her ice cream cone smashed on the floor. She had accidentally dropped it in her hurry to hide.
"Now, what do you intend to do," Draco asked as he stood up to go beside her, licking his cone.
"Um," Hermione started. "Can we go home now?"
***
When they were home, Hermione dropped on the couch and laid there like a lifeless log. "Are you sure he didn't see me?"
"Positive," Draco replied, sitting on the vacant space on the couch.
"Good," she said. "Because that was close."
They heard the bell ring and Draco stood up to open the door. "That's probably the land lady," he said. Hermione didn't budge and just laid there.
Shortly after, Draco came back looking very pale. Hermione looked up at him wondering what the matter was. "Draco, who was it?" she asked him.
"Hermione, when we were at Hogsmeade, what if Ron saw you and approached you? What would you tell him?" he said, looking down at her, his voice full of uneasiness.
"I'll tell him I'm not ready to talk," she answered. "Why?"
"Well," Draco retreated back to the door and opened it slightly to reveal the visitor. "Because Ron's here now."