((Hey everyone! Sorry about the big delay. See, I've been obsessively writing, but haven't been typing the chapters out. (I write everything by hand first then type it!) I have lots written, none typed. Thank you to all of you reviewers and I'm sorry about the cliffhanger, it was just too tempting! Keep in mind, I did not try to make this romance just like all other D/H's, so bear with me if it's a bit different. Ok, well definitely tell me what you think about this chapter when you're done!=D))
Disclaimer...: J.K. owns everything except the plot. Thanks J.K.
Relief washed over Hermione's whole body. In the clearing was a patch of ripe, juicy looking fruit. Hermione didn't believe Draco at all. He's joking, she thought certainly.
"Blackberries? You want me to pick– blackberries?"
"Precisely," Draco said in his most dignified tone. "I hate picking blackberries, but I love eating them. That's where you come in, Granger."
"Are you serious? Picking them is the best part! I don't care for the fruit much, but I'd always go with my mother just to pick them!" She looked at him, still disbelieving, and realized that for the first time all day he was wearing a real smile. And how that smile changed his face. So different was his smile from his smirk that his whole face had become softer, more mature. He looked nicer than she'd ever seen him, and he was certainly acting different also.
"Good," he answered quickly. "You can pick while I eat."
Hermione reveled in the silliness of the entire scene. She and her worst enemy, in a forest, talking civilly about picking blackberries. The irony of it made her laugh out loud. At the same time, she realized, it feels so right.
Sighing, she crossed her arms over her chest. "I don't want to be the only one picking them."
Draco stared at her in amused disbelief. "Listen, Granger, I like eating, you like picking. What's the problem? Besides, my hands always get cut up and turn all purple."
"Well, obviously no one has taught you how to pick blackberries properly. That's an important life skill, you know," she said seriously, looking into his eyes.
"Oh, alright," Draco grumbled half-heartedly. "But only if I get to eat all of them."
"It's a deal," Hermione said quickly. "Now, the first thing you have to do is..."
So within the hour, a huge pile of blackberries had accumulated at the foot of the tree in the clearing. Satisfied with their work, Hermione and Draco sat down t the edge of the clearing. Hermione leaned against a tree facing Draco.
For the first time, Hermione looked at him completely. Not as she had always seen him, as the blonde haired first year who had been her arch enemy since they came to Hogwarts, but as he was now. He had grown a good deal taller than her, and his chest and arms had toned out nicely. His arm and stomach muscles showed under the tight T-shirt he wore. Even his hair had changed. Instead of wearing it glued back like she remembered, it was only slightly gelled back, and a few strands had broken free and hung down around his face. His face was fine-boned ans it subtly softened the rest of his masculine features. Now his azure blue eyes seemed relaxed, and were further intensified by his smooth, pale skin. Hermione realized that he was something Harry and Ron were not. He is, she thought, for lack of a better word. . . classy.
Draco popped a blackberry into his mouth and said, "I don't mind this picking so much anymore. I suppose I owe you thanks, Hermione."
"Hermione?" she said indignantly, raising her eyebrows.
Draco shrugged. "Well, I guess that since you called me Draco once, I should get to call you by your first name at least once."
" I like 'Draco' better than 'Malfoy,'" she admitted. "Malfoy reminds me of your father too much." She wrinkled her nose.
"Yeah, it does," Draco said. "Just call me Draco from now on. Just because, you know. . . I like it better." He flushed and looked away, kicking himself for not controlling his emotions better. For some reason it was getting harder and harder to do lately.
Trying to hide her own embarrassment, Hermione said, "Well, if I call you Draco, then it only makes sense for you to call me Hermione."
Draco simply nodded in agreement, staring into her eyes. God, she's beautiful, he thought suddenly and practically slapped himself for thinking it. All he managed to do, however, was flush even more. To hide it he quickly checked his wristwatch.
"It's 6:00, and it's getting dark in here. We'd better leave."
"What's wrong with staying in here longer? Are you afraid of the dark or something?" Hermione asked jokingly.
There was a moments silence.
"No," came Draco's rushed reply. Hermione put a hand over her mouth, wide eyed.
"You are!" she said, laughing as she spoke.
"No, I'm not," Draco said more forcefully.
"At least it's not s bad as my fear of chipmunks!" Hermione admitted, laughing even harder. This time Draco had to laugh also. Hermione noted that this was the first time she had ever seen him laugh.
"Chipmunks can be scary," he reasoned, trying to keep a straight face.
The laughter died down into an intense silence in which they simply stared at each other in the dimming light.
"In any case, we'd better go before my parents get back," Draco said, trying to sound business like. Then, contemplating whether he should say more, she said, "We probably should. I had a really good time. I never would've expected that, with you at least." She smiled shyly.
He playfully hit her on the shoulder. "Thanks a lot, Grang–Hermione." He smiled down at her, taking in her tinted eyes, bright despite the darkness. They stood up, beginning their journey back. Finally they reached the manor, which looked majestic bathed in gold of the setting sun, its high roofs sloping in and out of the silver shadows. Fortunately, there were no lights on.
"There's still no one home," Draco commented, sighing with relief. They made their way to the front door and opened it.
They were halfway across the shadowy living room when the figure of Lucius Malfoy burst through the fireplace, shortly followed by Lemanus Gilroy. Surrounded by green flames, their shadows flickering across the floor, the men turned to face the two young figures, standing alone in the middle of the room. Draco looked around for an escape, but did not find one. Hermione screamed.
((A.N. Tell me in a review how you think Lucius, Draco and Hermione will react.))