Take On Me
By
Ponderer
DISCLAIMER: Again, I don't own the characters, J.K. Rowling does. I think these disclaimers are rather silly, so I probably won't be putting them on every chapter. Just know that I didn't take anything. Okay. Good. Enjoy!
Chapter Two
Draco and Ginny broke it off for real the week after Hermione's birthday. It wasn't much of a big deal, well, it seemed that way at least. Ginny had met someone at work, an attractive man named Jean, who was a French transfer. Draco had always been quiet about his relationships and this time, whenever asked about the break up, he would stare before changing the subject. Nobody but the two knew why, and Ginny promised him that she wouldn't tell until he did. But, soon, Ron seemed to catch on, but didn't question either about it. He left it was it was.
Draco was unusually quiet around the house, not talking to anyone unless a question was directed to him, and in that case, his answer was short and simple. To Harry and Ron, they figured Draco was heartbroken and needed a quick lay to get him back to himself. Harry hadn't thought it too be such a good idea when he saw the look she gave both him and Ron, the look they only knew too well from their Hogwarts days. So, Harry came to the conclusion that Draco needed a night out with the guys. Hermione knew better, and slapped his arm playfully.
"Well then, what do you suppose we do then Hermione?" Ron said exasperated.
"We wait for him to tell us what to do. I he wants to mope, let him. If he wants to date, let him. But don't pressure him into something he isn't ready for. He's on the rebound right now and all he needs is our support," Hermione replied, almost sadly, as if she felt Draco's pain.
"All right Hermione. We'll wait," Harry agreed while Ron shook his head.
"Good," she said, accepting their words and went to the library for some work. She found Draco there, lying on the floor, sprawled out in a pair of dress slacks and a sweater, staring at the ceiling as if mesmerized by the tiles. "Draco," Hermione said softly. He didn't move, but she knew he heard her.
"Hey," he replied.
"What's so interesting up there?" she asked, slightly grinning.
"Just counting the dots," was his answer.
"Mind if I join you?"
"No, go ahead," Draco said, still not looking at her. Hermione lay down beside him, staring up at the ceiling above. "I've been here all day, and I've counted the dots four times, and I can't ever get the same number," he said softly.
"It seems difficult," she replied, watching him from the corner of her eye. She realized rather quickly that this was a metaphor of the breakup; Draco's way of explaining it to her. He knew she would understand his double meaning.
"I've tried everything I could think of to calculate, but it just gets lost in my brain. Maybe, you can count with me?" Hermione's hand sought out his, and gave it a small squeeze, him returning it.
"Yeah, I'll help you," she said, except this time, he looked at her while she counted the dots, just watching her.
It was a few days later when Draco returned to his normal, grouchy self. Ron and Harry wondered why his mood had changed so quickly and they sought out Hermione for answers. "So, what happened?" Harry asked her.
"Did he sleep with someone?" Ron called out and received a small elbow to his stomach.
"He came to me," she answered and that's all she said about it. Harry and Ron had looked at each other and shrugged while Hermione went back to work, an achieved smile on her face.
It took some time for Ginny to come back over to the house, and everytime she did, she would look at Hermione, almost in jealously, but an understanding look at most. Draco had noticed the look passed and prayed Ginny wouldn't say anything to Hermione. "Hermione, we should go out to dinner tonight," Draco said and Ginny watched him carefully.
Hermione smiled at him and replied, "That sounds wonderful. Any particular reason?"
"No," Draco shook his head, grinning. "We just haven't been able to talk, just the two of us in awhile."
"Okay," Hermione accepted. Getting up from her chair, she continued, "I'll go get ready now. Where to?"
"I was thinking the Bistro. I'll make the reservation," Draco answered and Hermione nodded again before disappearing upstairs. Draco watched her walk away, and with a heavy sigh, he began to dial the phone when he heard Ginny speak from behind him.
"Tell her everything Draco. She needs to know the truth," she said quietly, but he heard it all. He didn't reply though, just paused before continuing his call. Ginny smiled, sadly, glad to see him doing the right thing.
Later on, after Ginny left for dinner at the Burrow, the manor was rather peaceful. Draco was nervously pacing his room, unbeknownst to Harry and Hermione. The witch herself was calmly yet thoughtfully getting ready in her quarters, deciding to wear a simple red dress, showing off all her curves. Pulling her hair elegantly in a French twist letting only a few tendrils slip over her face, she smiled at her mirror. Harry entered her room while she was finishing her makeup. Lazily, he leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest, watching her with a playful grin that only Harry Potter could give.
"So, why are you so dressed up?" he asked. Smiling, Hermione looked at Harry's reflection through her mirror.
"Draco asked me to dinner. Do you have any idea why?" her brow creased as she asked the question that had boggled her mind since she had gotten ready. It was Harry's turn to look thoughtful.
"No, he hasn't said anything to me. Do you think something's wrong?"
"I don't think so. If it was, he'd tell all of us at once," she replied.
"Are you sure? After the whole Ginny thing, he may be more talkative to you about that stuff before he comes to me and Ron," Harry said, coming into her room to stand behind her.
"So? I still think he would tell all of us. But whatever it is, it's important. I can't ever remember him ask me to dinner without you or Ron."
"I don't know. Well, anyway, you look quite lovely. Stunning actually," he grinned and whistled lowly as she stood up.
"Well thank you. Will you tell Draco I'll be down in a minute? I need to put my shoes on," she asked.
"Sure," Harry nodded. He kissed her cheek and left, shutting the door behind him. He found Draco at the bottom of the stairs, waiting patiently, but he seemed a bit anxious. "She'll be down in a minute mate. She needed her shoes." Draco looked at him and nodded. "Are you all right?" he questioned, noticing the looks Draco was giving the stairs.
"Yes, I'm fine. Maybe I'm coming down with something," he lied, wiping his forehead while Harry frowned.
"Maybe you should have Hermione check you over before you leave…" he started but Draco wasn't listening. Instead, he watched an angel float down the steps. Harry noted the strange look in his friend's eyes as Hermione made her way over to them.
"We won't be too late. Tell Ron that I'll meet him for breakfast okay?" Hermione asked as Draco quickly composed himself.
"I will. Have fun," Harry replied, still eyeing the blond whose arm was wrapped through Hermione's.
"We will. Good night," she grinned before letting her escort lead her outside to disapparate to the restaurant. Harry shut the door behind them, quite puzzled by Draco's latest actions. What exactly was going on?
Hermione looked up at the gorgeous restaurant while Draco asked about their reservation. "Yes, two for Mr. Malfoy. This way please," the woman grinned. The two followed behind her until they found themselves in what seemed the most romantic spot in the whole place. A private table for two overlooking the Eiffel Tower, candles lighting their table. Draco had taken Ginny there before in that exact table before, but whenever he looked across the table, all he could see was someone else, the person his feelings for had grown for so long and now he didn't think he could hold it in any longer.
Draco pulled the chair out for his date while the hostess placed the menus on the table. She was middle-aged, her hair had gray streaks and her eyes held a certain glint in them. She had always been there when he had, so he knew her face from the past. "You have a beautiful date, Mr. Malfoy," she said coyly in a deep French accent, looking Hermione over, her eyes sparkling. "And I must say, I haven't seen you look so happy, in all the years you've come here."
"Thank you Martha," Draco smiled, trying hard not to blush at the last comment she made. "This is a friend of mine, Hermione Granger."
"It's nice to meet you Martha," Hermione smiled politely.
"Yes, as you too. Have a pleasant evening," she said, gave Draco a wink, and left.
"She was nice. I guess you come here often if she knows how you're feeling by just looking at you. It took me years to figure out what you were thinking," she laughed, placing her napkin neatly in her lap.
"Yes well, we Malfoys proud ourselves with not letting anyone know what's going through our minds," he smirked, a familiar look she'd seen in her school days.
"But, I eventually figured it out," Hermione added smugly.
"Oh, you did eh? Enlighten me," Draco laughed, sitting back into his chair comfortably.
"You were jealous of me," she smirked, and her companion continued laughing.
"Me? Jealous of you? I think not."
"And all you wanted were my grades, my friends, my looks. But, I managed to hold on them," she said. Trying to seem egotistical, which was comical because Hermione was the opposite of that. She thought it was funny to talk about, while he found the reality to her words.
It was true. He had been jealous all those years ago. Her quick wit could match his (almost better), her never ending friendship with Potter and Weasley, her popularity, her brains. He'd hated her because of that. But as time passed, he saw beyond that and found a beauty that ceased to amaze him. He'd fallen in love with her before seventh year was over. Draco also realized that he wanted to be with her, even though his own name forbid it. Still, his feelings grew and slowly came around, giving small hints about the Dark Side, hoping the Dream Team could stop his father and the rest before it was too late.
Luckily, they took the bait, informed Dumbledore, and soon enough, Draco found himself becoming a part of the infamous trio. All were reluctant about it, especially Ron and Harry, but after both Dumbledore and Hermione accepted him, they knew they would too. Which they did and all were best friends once the way was over. As Draco's love for Hermione, it continued on, like the power of light, never once fading away. It scared him how much he cared for her because he'd never known a Malfoy, besides his mother and sometimes his father, who had actually shown their feelings of love. Strange as it was, Narcissa was the boss of the home, loved Lucius deeply beside him being a Deatheater. He too loved his wife and son, but it was too late for him to find the light, for he died from an attack a month before the war was over.
"What are you thinking of Draco?" Hermione asked him, breaking his thoughts. She seemed to know what he was thinking by the look on his face and he knew he couldn't lie to her.
"I was just thinking of my parents," he replied softly, gazing into his wine glass, his fingers lightly skimming the rim.
"What about them?" Hermione asked.
"How it was odd how my mum was in control. No one saw that but me. Sure, he seemed to be evil, but he was scared and she took care of him. I never had it bad. I was just raised in the wrong way. I don't blame my father though. I blame Voldermort," Draco answered and Hermione reached for his hand, giving it a little squeeze.
"Well, we don't have to worry about Voldermort anymore. He's gone forever. That's how it should be," she grinned but it faded when he didn't reciprocate the action. "Draco, is there something else you're thinking about?" Draco gathered all his courage and looked her straight in the eye, giving her hand a firm squeeze. This was it! Years of waiting for this one moment.
"Hermione, I'm in love…" before he could continue though, their food came. He didn't catch the slight look of pain in Hermione's eyes because he looked away once they were interrupted. Draco finally looked at her as he took his hand away from hers reluctantly, giving her a fake smile.
"Enjoy," the waiter said and left. Draco immediately dug into his food but Hermione watched him expectantly.
"Draco, what were you saying before?" she hoped he couldn't hear the nervousness in her voice as she held her sweaty palms in her lap. Hermione didn't understand about these new feelings that came pouring into her mind as Draco told her about his new love interest. She had known he would move on eventually from Ginny. But, could she actually be jealous of someone? She hadn't been with Ginny, so why would she be now? As soon as the feeling left her mind, she concentrated on the man in front of her, hoping to help him in anyway she could.
Draco looked up from his dinner, hoping Hermione would get what he was saying so he wouldn't have to. He had never been good at expressing his feelings. He put down his fork with a sigh, closing his eyes to collect himself. When he reopened them, he thought he saw hope flickering in her brown orbs but as soon as he saw it, it was gone. "I'm in love," he said more firmly, crossing his fingers mentally. Come on Hermione! Don't make me say it! You're the smartest witch I know, you must know what I'm trying to say! He thought to himself. She smiled at him and his heart fluttered.
"She must be a lovely girl then," she thought out loud.
"The loveliest," he echoed.
"And special to have the love of a Malfoy," she continued.
"Extremely special…"
"So, when can we meet her?" His heart stopped. He looked at her strangely, thinking she was kidding. She wasn't. She didn't know it was her that he loved. Suddenly, he wanted to scream out to the Gods for the pain he consumed.
"When can you meet her?" he managed out and Hermione nodded.
"Yes, we can meet her, can't we?"
"Well," he started, "she doesn't exactly know yet how I feel. I thought she knew, but she didn't understand what I was telling her," he explained, trying to stay as calm as he could.
"Oh, I'm so sorry Draco," her voice sounded sympathetic but her heart fluttered.
"Yes, well, it'll be okay. I just needed to tell someone," he murmured, looking down at his dinner when Hermione reached for his hand again.
"Well, I'm glad you told me," she smiled, and then started to eat her food. His hand was warm from hers and he felt tingles all over his body. He finally had to force himself to finish his dinner and get through the rest of the night without bursting.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Okay, since I already had chapter three written, as promised I typed the second up. I'm currently working on chapter four, and I'm guessing I'll have it done by Thursday or Friday, so the new chapter will be up this weekend when I have time. I hope that's soon enough for everyone.
I would like to thank my first eight reviewers who enjoyed what I have so far. I haven't heard any complains yet, so I plan on continuing this. So, thank you so much! *sends hugs to everyone* So, please continue reading and reviewing, and I'll continue to write!
Thanks!
Ponderer