A/N: Thankyou for being soo patient.
This is the longest chapter I have ever writen and it is all thanks to the constant naging. (I mean encouragement) of a new friend I met online.
She is also responsible for the naming of Lavender, Parvati and Padma's Botique. When I was trying to find something to with the girls' love of Divination, she came back to me with the dictionary meaning of the word. Which happens to be 'To Be Divine.'
She has put up with mundane questions and found me alot of facts I couldn't have done without. My hat goes off to her and I offer 'PrettyLittleOwl'(lynsey) my heart felt thanks. oxox
Belle of the Ball
Hermione was still in stunned awe of what had occurred this morning as she made her way down to the dungeons to meet with Snape. She just couldn't get her head around what had happened.'Why would Malfoy of all people want to suddenly build a bridge with her a lowly mudblood? He had made it quiet clear every opportunity he got to let her know exactly what he thought of her, so why the sudden change? Unless he truly has changed! And if that was true then should she give him a second chance?'
She supposed 'everybody deserved one and who was she to deny forgiveness when someone had enough courage to ask for it? If that is what he truly sought' then she would give him a chance, it didn't mean she wouldn't be wary of him though.
By the time she was finished in her musings she had unconsciously already knocked on the dungeon door and was currently face to face with the strict potions master, whom had one of his perfectly shaped dark eyebrows raised at her in question.
He truly thought she had lost her marbles, he was working on lesson plans for the new year when a knock at the door caught his attention, when he had called enter nothing happened so mumbling something about incompetent colleagues he rose to open the door.
Well you can understand why he thought she had gone completely batty, for she was standing there leaning against the doorframe staring straight at him, but more like through him. It was a little odd to say the least, people didn't allow there minds to wonder to the point of distraction when coming to his door, it just simply wasn't done.
Finding a little amusement in the fact that she had come down here in such a state, he raised an eyebrow at her in mock question, as if to say well I'm waiting.
Coming back to herself rather hastily, with much embarrassment in tow.
"Professor! Sir, I'm so sorry I.... I guess I was a little distracted."
Once he realized she was back to herself he swooped back to behind his desk saying. "Enough of your inane chattering girl. Sit." He motioned to the chair opposite him.
"If I have to accommodate your insufferable presence for an extended period of time, I would appreciate it if you came to these sessions with your wits about you."
Hermione was about to bristle openly at this comment, till she realized that he was her only source for information and training in her newly acquired talents. She muttered a weak "yes sir" and took her seat.
He watched her eyes blaze at his comments about her presence and minds state and then saw how she collected herself and calmed down, 'good' he thought. 'This might not be to hard for her to control.'
"Miss Granger." Snape started in his most demanding classroom tone.
"You are going to have to harness a certain amount of control in letting your emotions and thoughts run away with you, now that you are obviously starting to come into a wealth of power. It would be prudent for you to start exercising some form of meditation. Unless you would like an unexpected repeat of what happened yesterday?"
Not waiting for her to answer he continued. "You could have put everyone around you in danger, with the uncontrolled power bursts you allowed yourself to display yesterday, a purely emotion outburst like that should be avoided at all costs in the future."
Feeling completely chastened she looked down towards the hands resting in her lap and all she could think was. 'Git .How was I supposed to know that would happen, it wasn't like I asked for it.'
"Miss Granger, you may think me a git all you like, the fact of the matter is whether you asked for it or not, you are going to come into an immense amount of power that will need to be controlled and childish name calling with your lack of comprehension for the danger that you put your peers in yesterday, I am swiftly coming to the conclusion that you are completely undeserving of such a gift."
During his energetic rant, Hermione had snapped her head at the fact that he had read her thoughts. 'Must be part of his powers' was a fleeting thought, then as she listened to him go on about how she was childish and had no respect for her peers 'why she was the most respectful person she knew' then the final blow came when he voiced that he thought her completely undeserving. Well that was it ladies and gentlemen she would take no more of his scornful abuse.
She stood up with such force that it sent her chair flying backwards, splintering upon impact of the cold dungeon floor, she thumped her hands down heavily down on the desk, leaned in so she was face to face with him and started to tear his ass right back.
"Just who the fuck do you think you are?" Snape visibly winced at the expletive she dished out towards him, not being used to the usually timid girl using such language.
"I think I have the right to think what the hell I like about you! You call me childish for name calling, yet that is all you ever do to me call me names. 'Insufferable know-it-all' and my personal favourite 'silly little girl.' But no, that's not enough is it? You have the gall to call me undeserving! And yet here you are Death Eater extraordinaire and you think you are more deserving? I think not! Why you must have committed heinous atrocities with your 'gifts'" she sneered very unattractively at him.
He was flabbergasted, absolutely speechless, of course she was voicing things he had thought about for many years. It was more the fact that she was voicing them, and straight to his face no less, he had to at least admire that.
He was starting to get uncomfortable, Hermione's eyes were boring right into his, flashing with an angry fire as he had never seen them before, well directed at him anyway. A soft breeze had come forth out of nowhere and her hair was starting to fly madly backwards the more heated she got, to tell you the truth he was starting to get a little scared.
Well not scared perse as Snapes did not get scared but it didn't look like she was even near finished and he dare not interrupt an angry and powerful witch who had little control over her powers.
"But let's not forget how you switched sides to redeem yourself. And me being the 'silly little girl' you are so fond of calling me, had thought to pay you back for all your so called sacrifices by discovering a way to remove your disgusting mark!"
At this Snapes eyes went wide with shock and his jaw hung slack from his mouth.
"Yes that's right." She continued. "Wipe it off, completely gone. But no being the greasy git and great big bat that you are had to walk in at a crucial point and ruin the whole bloody thing! And if that wasn't bad enough! Not only did you screw up something that could have been a miracle! No you had to screw up something that could have been a starting point to cure all kinds of ailments of the magical and muggle world."
Having finished her unexpected hissy fit, she turned around and tore out of the room shattering the door as she slammed it shut behind her.
Snape sat there in seat absolutely dumbfounded, not only did he thank his lucky stars that he had managed to come out of that unscathed, well physically anyway. But he had seriously fucked up.
He remembered now the folder that had been left behind when Miss Granger had exited the lab. Rising swiftly he went back to fetch it, if it still happened to be there.
{}
Hermione rushed into her quarters, grabbed her purse, her cloak, a handful of floo-powder screamed "The burrow" and was whisked away in a burst of flames.
She stumbled out of the fireplace and grasped hold of the kitchen table to stop herself from falling and it was then that she broke down and started to cry. Oh she couldn't believe it, the way she had behaved towards Professor Snape, the awful things she had said to him she wouldn't be surprised if he cancelled her apprenticeship and refused to tell her anything about what becoming a mage. She couldn't go back it was all so terrifyingly embarrassing.
To say the Weasley's were surprised was to say the least; they were sitting around the kitchen table finishing up a late breakfast, when none other than Hermione Granger came hurtling out of their fireplace and proceeded to grasp the table and cry, to make it worse every single Weasley was home for the holidays.
The goblins had seen fit to give Bill a break from curse breaking for some vacation time. Charlie was nursing a wounded arm from working with Dragons and as such had earned himself some long awaited respite. Percy hadn't left for the ministry yet, the twins Fred and George didn't open the joke shop for another half an hour, Ron didn't start training with the Chudley Canons for another two weeks and Ginny had yet to decide what she was going to do this year.
Molly Weasley seeing the poor distraught girl was first to react, she gathered Hermione up in her arms and led her into the lounge, hugged and stroked her hair while she wept her little heart out.
Ron immediately thinking the worst, that Hermione had been attacked or something just as awful went to run in there to get to the bottom of what had made one of his best friends so upset, he was pulled back into his chair by Mr Weasley saying that.
"What ever the problem is Ron, she's in capable hands with your mother."
He turned towards Ginny and asked her. "Why don't you go and see if Hermione needs anything dear?"
When Ginny entered the lounge Hermione had calmed down a lot and was gently sniffling in the arms of Molly with the occasional hiccup.
Hermione lifted her head and gave a weak smile to the two Weasley women.
She blurted out everything that had happened in the last 24 hrs and swore them to secrecy, as she wasn't sure whether or not she was allowed to share the news of her gift, She did feel a lot better having off loaded some of her stress on good friends.
Molly pulled her into another embrace and rubbed her arms gently.
"I'm not sure what to make of the Malfoy boys sudden interest Hermione but if he's genuine and you want to give him that chance, then I do believe that you are going to need a new outfit for your dinner tonight."
"Oh, Molly I just don't know everything has been so confusing the last few days I'm not sure if I'm up for dinner tonight."
"Nonsense." Ginny scolded her.
"I'll come with you to Diagon alley, I know a few great places we can go, besides I need to pick some stuff up there anyway."
"But Ginny, I don't even know if I'm going to have an apprenticeship to go back to, how can I even think about going on a date when I might not even be welcome back at Hogwarts."
"You don't worry yourself about that now my dear." Molly started.
"I'll go and straighten this mess out with Dumbledore, you'll see sweetheart you won't have anything to worry about." Patting Hermione's leg in a reassuring gesture.
"Now you two had better clean yourselves up if your going out." She finished in a business like manner and she bustled out the room to clean up the breakfast mess before flooing over to see Dumbledore.
Ginny was dragging Hermione through Diagon alley by the hand, prattling on about this fabulous new boutique that's opened up and how she just had to get her new clothes from there.
Hermione was numbly following her long time friend, still worried about what was to become of her position at Hogwarts. All of a sudden Ginny came to a halt and consequently Hermione ungracefully ran into the back of her, gathering herself together she looked up to the store front and it was huge.
The whole store front was painted in a sickly bright lavender colour, There were four huge shop front windows containing various moving mannequins, all covered in various out fits. Some were displaying fashionable casual wear others wore a more modern funky style and some of them displayed most elegant formal gowns she had ever seen in her life, she looked to the door and noticed the name of the store.
'To Be Divine'
Ginny turned to Hermione positively beaming.
"Hermione your going to love this place they have everything, just wait till you see inside."
Hermione gave Ginny a weak smile just before she was pulled through the door.
And Ginny was not exaggerating, the place was bloody huge; If she wasn't a witch and didn't know about magic she would have been very puzzled indeed. It had obviously been magically altered to fit in the second floor, which was just as huge as expansive as the first. All the walls were done in a pastel lavender colour and there were silver trimmings bordering them, it was actually quiet tasteful.
When she looked around some more she noticed that there was indeed a large selection to chose from and it didn't look like you would have to worry spotting someone wearing the same outfit as you either and what's more it looked like they only tailored for women.
Hermione had to admit she was quiet impressed with this new boutique that had found it's way into Diagon alley. Just then she heard high pitch squealing interrupting her musings. She looked around and heading straight for her arms flaying and faces bright was none other than. Lavender Brown and Parvati Patill.
Hermione didn't even have time to think as she was whisked into hugs and kisses on the cheek with even more squeals thrown in for good measure.
"Hermione darling, how have you been? We saw Ginny a few weeks ago and she did promise to bring you in." Lavender started to gush before Parvati cut in.
"Yes darling it is so good to see you again. I simply can't wait to get you fixed up with some new threads."
During the final battle; which took place at Hogwarts, Hermione had become pretty good friends with the two girls, having had to rely on one another in a time of war, working closely together in preparation and planning, it was only inevitable.
Of course they had all grieved and mourned the loss of fellow fighters after the war together as well and they had all developed a kind of bond with one another.
But as people had finally come to terms with their losses and were thinking about their futures they had drifted apart and lost touch with each other.
They were dragging Hermione around the store now shoving dresses and outfits up against her person and chatting away excitedly.
"Oh Hermione you just wouldn't have believed the places we've seen." She heard Parvati say when Lavender took over with.
"Oh yes, we travelled just about everywhere, we toured all the major fashion places and we even visited a few countries that were extremely uncommon but provided us with endless wells of inspiration."
"That's great you guys." Hermione said feeling a lot more cheery than she had felt before, the girls had obviously enjoyed their time holidaying around the world and had settled into something they truly loved.
"Hello Hermione, it's so good to see you after all this time." Interrupted Padma, Parvati's twin sister pulling Hermione into a warm embrace as she kissed each cheek.
"Thanks Pad. It's good to see you too. I didn't know you had an interest in fashion as well?"
"Oh dear me no Hermione, I wouldn't even know where to start, I balance the books and take care of the business side of things, where thinking of opening an outlet in Hogsmeade you know, to extend the business and appeal to the younger students up at Hogwarts. I've run the numbers and I think it's safe to say that it would be a profitable move."
"That's great you guys, you know you've really done well for yourselves, I can't think of anyone else you would deserve success more than you guys."
"Oh don't be silly Hermione, everybody deserves success now the wars over."
"I suppose your right, it's just good to see you all so happy and doing really well." Hermione responded with a heart felt smile.
"Well tell us now young lady." Lavender started. "What are you doing with yourself now? Have you got a boyfriend yet?"
Everybody turned to Hermione expectantly.
"Well... nothing as interesting as you guys I can assure you, I'm doing my training to become a mediwitch and at the moment I'm working under Professor Snape to obtain my potions mistress certificate."
The girls looked back at her absolutely horrified, seeing this Hermione quickly added.
"Oh no, it's ok he's not so bad really, he is still snarky and sarcastic as ever but he is a master and I'm really glad to be learning from him he is the best in his field you know" she said in her know-it-all voice, when they still looked sceptical she added.
"Besides I only have a year left with him and then I will be training under madam Pomfrey for one more year before I take over the schools mediwitch position, since Pomonia is retiring the end of next year."
"Well that's ok I suppose." Said Padma. "At least you won't have to work with Snape to much longer."
Giving a cheeky grin that they all shared, though Hermione's was a little forced, she still wasn't sure what the result of this mornings out burst was going to be and blushed at the memory. Which the girls interpreted was for the issue of a beau.
"Soooo." Said Parvati. "What about a beau? Anyone special?"
At this Hermione really did colour considerably.
"OOOOOO There is!" Squealed Lavender. "Come on you have to tell us who it is."
"Actually." Hermione started slowly. "I'm not dating anyone." And after a brief pause she added. "Perse."
"I knew it!" exclaimed Parvati. "Who? Give us some details."
"Well, I'm not dating anybody, but I do have a date tonight."
"Who? Stop keeping us in suspense, your doing it on purpose."
"Well the thing is, tonight I have a date with. Draco Malfoy." She said the last part a little quieter.
There was a collective "Oh" and Hermione proceeded to explain about the letter and what it had said, well the girls being girls all started to coo and simper about how romantic it was to have one of the most eligible bachelors beg for forgiveness and wanting to make amends and in no time at all Hermione was walking out the door, with over half a dozen bags of clothes from "To Be Devine"heavily discounted of course because she was such a good friend.
So feeling a lot better about herself now she suggested to Ginny that they stop for lunch before proceeding to get her hair done and heading back to Hogwarts.
{}
Molly Weasley was sitting across from Dumbledore sipping tea in his office, she had just finished telling Albus about everything that had occurred this morning, from what had happened between Hermione and Severus, to the girls leaving for Diagon alley to go shopping and was patiently waiting for his reply.
"Molly, first I want to say thank you for coming to see me straight away, poor Hermione must have been extremely distraught this morning and is no doubt still anxious about what is going to happen, sadly it is not my call in this case, but rest assured that I will be having a long talk with Severus when you go."
"Quiet alright Albus, I thought you might be able to sort this out if you had enough notice, I trust you will ask Severus to be lenient on her and if I am the only thing standing in the way of you tending to this problem I best be off and let you deal with it, god knows my lot are probably climbing the walls waiting for lunch."
She said with a little chuckle before she flooed back to the burrow.
{}
It was around midday that we find our potions master, sitting in a high winged back chair, nursing his seventh or eighth snifter of fire whiskey.
Wallowing in self-pity and a tremendous amount of guilt over his behaviour and attitude towards Miss Granger.
He was staring blankly at the wall in front of the fire and spread out upon the table in front of him and all across his lap was Miss Granger's research.
This is how Albus found him, when he arrived through the open door to Severus' private quarters.
Silently Albus approached and sat in the chair next to him and cleared his throat gently to get his young colleague's attention.
Severus had known the headmaster was there, he sighed and looked to Albus with a look of pure grief upon his face and whispered.
"How was I supposed to know she was working on something like this Albus?"
"My dear boy, I do believe she didn't want to get your hopes up if she was unsuccessful."
"But why did she seek to work on such a thing in the first place?"
"Severus, Hermione appreciates your intelligence, she is very honoured to be working with the top potions master in the world." Here Severus let out a soft snort.
"No matter what you think of yourself Severus, there are people around you that care about you deeply. Hermione is not like most young women her age and even you can't deny that. She has a maturity level that is beyond her years, after she had started this research Severus, she came to me to discuss who she should ask for help to solve the problem."
Headmaster paused briefly to conjure a small table next to him, complete with a pot of tea and biscuits before he continued.
"I asked her why she had not considered going straight to you? Hermione was very adamant that I not discuss her research with you, on the grounds that you would take it as an intrusion on your privacy. Not only that she also confided in me that she felt that you should be paid back some how for all the endless torture you put yourself through."
"What ever I suffered in that time Albus was my own doing and nothing more that what I deserved for my past misdeeds." He sneered into his glass.
"Severus when are you going to learn that you have surpassed making up for you youthful indiscretions? You forget Hermione took over all the extra brewing of medical potions when you would come back from meetings to bloody and bruised to attend to extra work. She watched you work yourself into the ground gathering information for the cause, Severus I was at the final battle, and I watched you throw yourself in front of a curucio for her so she could help Harry get to Voldermort. She wanted to do this for you my boy, to give you some form of freedom from the past that you regret so much."
"The hours Albus, the hours that she must have put into this and I ruined it, not only that I was cruel and damn well out of place treating her the way that I did. How can I even look her in the face knowing all of this now?"
Severus let out a long mournful sigh before downing the rest of his whiskey and pouring himself another.
The headmaster rose from his chair and squeezed Severus' shoulder fondly and said.
"Severus I suggest you have a talk with Hermione, unless you wish to terminate her apprenticeship? You also have the task of helping her control her new stores of power, it would be a lot easier if you two cleared the air between you and started to work together instead of against each other."
With that the headmaster left the potions master contemplate everything he had said, hoping against hope that he could find away to forgive himself and start living a new life.
{}
By the time Hermione had flooed back to her quarters it was five o'clock and she was buggered, honestly who new you get so worn out just from shopping it was ridiculous really.
She decided she was in great need of rest if she was going to be in any sort of company tonight and rested for an hour or so before she got up and started to get ready for her evening out.
Hermione soaked in the tub for a further hour with a blissfully empty mind she knew she would have to sort things out with professor Snape, but decided that for tonight she wouldn't think about it and would deal with it tomorrow.
She was still a little unsure of what to expect from Malfoy, well 'Draco' now she supposed and was feeling a little anxiety about how the evening was going to go.
Trying not to worry herself over it too much, she started to change into her new clothes and do her hair and make up.
She had specifically decided to wear a mugglish outfit tonight to see what sort of reaction in would garner from her old nemesis.
It was exactly eight by the time she had finished, which is exactly what she had wanted she wasn't going to be waiting around in the entrance for him to arrive, he could wait and receive her.
With that thought in mind she slowly made her way down to the castles stairs to the entrance hall.
{}
Severus sat for a good few hours contemplating everything the headmaster had said.
Finally having had enough of his self induced pity party, he threw his glass into the fire and watched as the flames roared to life with the aid of the alcohol.
He rose from his chair, retrieved a sober up potion and headed for the shower, he figured he would meet his godson in the entrance hall before miss Granger arrived and see if he could figure out an ulterior motive for his young godson.
He couldn't see how Lucius was agreeing to his son wishing to court a muggle born witch; Lucius was one of the most obsessive people he had ever met when it came to the purity of his family's bloodline. He had to be up to something that was for sure.
Although Snape new Lucius had only switched sides when it was clear he would be facing Azkaban, he was one of the only true companions he had ever sought to socialize with since the beginning of his youth.
Even witnessing the monstrous things that Lucius Malfoy was capable of and having participated in a few of them along side him, he had always had an easy flowing camaraderie with the man a mutual respect for intelligent conversation and the finer things in life.
Approaching the entrance hall Severus could see Draco waiting patiently by the doors, as he got closer and he noticed that the young man looked extremely confident and slightly smug.
'Pfft when has a Malfoy looked anything but confident and extremely smug'?
Draco inclined his head in a formal bow. "Uncle Severus" He said in greeting.
"I really wish you wouldn't call me that Draco."
"As you wish, Severus" The young man answered with a smirk.
Snape sent a glare towards Draco before answering stiffly that. "Uncle Severus was fine."
"I understand you are escorting Miss Granger out this evening." It was more a statement than a question.
"Yes." Was the only reply Draco offered his godfather.
Severus narrowed his eyes a little at the boys' curt response.
"And how does your father feel about this sudden interest in Miss Granger?" He asked meeting Draco's steely Blue eyes with his endless black ones.
Severus noticed an unusual glint in his eyes as he responded with.
"He has been very encouraging, He is of the opinion that the war is over and that if we are to truly have peace, then it is time to put aside petty differences if we are to make progress."
"Hmmm." Was Severus' only reply. He did not believe that for one minute, he made up his mind there and then; that he would pay a visit to his old friend and see if he could gauge what was really going on.
At that moment the two gentle men noticed Hermione making her way down the last few steps and heading towards them.
She looked stunning, she was wearing an oriental style dress, and it was a beautiful bright red colour that only proved to enhance her perfect milky white skin.
It had gold embroidery of tiny bonsai trees' stitched delicately into the material. There was one slit up each side of the dress and it hugged her body perfectly, showing of her toned legs.
That were only made to look more appetising, by the stiletto styled red heels she wore upon her feet. Her hair was swept up loosely away from her face, with perfectly formed shinny curls that were cascading down her back, littered with tiny jasmine flowers.
And she had taken their breath away. So stunning was this creature before them that she had to clear her throat to get their attention.
Severus recovered the quickest and gave a formal bow delivered with a. "Good evening Miss Granger."
When he looked up their eyes met and each darted their eyes away for the same reasons.
Embarrassment, over their actions from the mornings encounter.
Draco stepped forward immediately, internally puzzling over what that reaction was all about.
He elegantly took Hermione's hand and brought to his lips and brushed his warm soft lips across it, Hermione blushed prettily at the formal gesture and Draco straightened up.
"Your carriage awaits you my lady, if you will excuse us uncle Severus we must be off."
Hermione threw a puzzled look at the professor over the 'uncle' business but Snape just bowed politely and said. "Of course if you will excuse me."
Before he swept off down to his dungeons to grab a travelling cloak before heading off to Malfoy Manor.
Draco turned to Hermione offered the crook of his arm and as she took it they headed off out the door to the carriage that a waited.
What she saw took her breath away before stood one of the most beautiful carriages she had ever seen; it was pristine white almost glowing against the night.
With fine gold paint bordering the windows and doorframe and stationed at the front were two beautiful white Pegasus'.
Draco helped her into the carriage, before climbing in himself. He sat across from her and said.
"Don't tell me I finally rendered the Gryffindor-know it-all speechless?"
But she knew from the tone in his voice that he was only teasing her and smiled knowingly at back at him.
The carriage ride went off with little chatter each gazing out of the windows at the beautiful night sky lost in their own thoughts.
Draco had been rendered absolutely speechless himself 'geez' he thought to himself, 'if the mudblood didn't scrub up better than anything he could have imagined, May Merlin strike me dead. I'm going to thoroughly enjoy fucking the guts out of the chit till she bares me an heir.'
Though he did notice that she had chosen a totally muggle outfit, not that he had any complaints as he sat there, discretely ogling her from his seat across from her.
He also noticed she had managed to pick something that showed her house pride as the dress was in essence done in gold and red, she was obviously trying to test him to see if he would react, 'quiet Slytherin of her really' when he thought about it.
They arrived at a small city that she didn't catch the name of as they had been flying through the air, as Draco helped her out of the carriage she looked up to a building that looked fairly tall.
She took his offered arm and he led her to the entrance, once inside he escorted her to a lift of sorts and once inside and the doors close they opened again almost instantly.
She was staring at a site that took her breath away, they were at least 300 feet in the air, there was no roof but it had obviously been charmed to a certain temperature, as she didn't feel a change.
All she could see was miles of stars and streetlights in the night sky it was simply beautiful. She the most stunning of smiles upon Draco, which he returned with a small grin of his own and the slight bow of his head acknowledging her pleasure in the surroundings.
Soon they were seated in a table on the outer edge of the circular room, which Hermione had just noticed was slowly rotating to give you a good view of the nighttime scenery.
They ordered their meal, grilled field mushrooms with basil and olive oil for an appetizer. Creamy pumpkin soup for an entrée. Steamed Salmon with grilled capsicum and eggplant for their main. Only to be followed up by a rich baked strawberry cheesecake.
Draco was being such a gentleman she didn't know if she could take much more of this, It was a nice change from his youthful prat filled days, but this was just ridiculous she felt like she wanted to scream.
After eating their mushrooms, Draco decided the awkward silence had gone on long enough.
"How is your wine Hermione? Can I get you some more?"
"Yes thank-you Draco that would be wonderful."
"Have you read the latest study on improving the dreamless sleep potion, I noticed they're trying to improve it so that it's not addictive if used for a long period of time."
And that was it ladies and gentleman they were off. Discussing how they would research it each putting forth plausible ideas.
They had been chatting animatedly and were having quiet a good time if they did say so themselves they hadn't even noticed when their main courses arrived.
Things had quieted down a little now, and that uncomfortable silence was back.
"Hermione, I feel I must bring this up since you were kind enough to give me the benefit of the doubt."
"Draco please, you don't need to say anything, I can tell that you are no longer the same person you were when we were in school. You have matured a lot and I must say that I'm glad that you decided to rethink your outlook on life, I have enjoyed myself a lot tonight and I never thought that we would have the same thirst for academia."
"I have always been fond of academic pursuits I find that even though I do not need to work to support myself, I couldn't stand not exercising my brain, I just have this thirst for knowledge where if I learn enough and truly try to understand, that maybe one day I will be able to make a difference."
He had said the last part of his speech with such conviction, that Hermione couldn't help but be drawn into him. She had reached across the table to take his hand in hers.
"Draco I am absolutely positive that if you truly want to accomplish something that you will be able to do just that and more."
He was looking into her eyes and saw that they were shinning with honesty and affection.
'This won't take any effort at all, I've got her eating out the palm of my hand with that making the world a better place rubbish. She really is gullible, that's what you get when you're a Gryffindor I suppose.'
"I feel the same way about you Hermione, you really are a rare gem and I know that you will achieve great things as well."
Hermione blushed a little at the faith he had displayed in her to achieve her goals, she wasn't used to this new improved Draco Malfoy but she was going to try her hardest to get to know him better.
"Thank you Draco that's very kind of you."
"Nonsense, how could anyone not have faith in the Gryffindor-know-it-all. You know you scored the highest NEWTS in twenty six years, that's quiet an accomplishment you know."
"Yes but I do recall you came a very close second."
"Yes but you even managed to beat out uncle Severus and that is not a feat easily accomplished, I would be feeling extremely proud if I were you."
"Thank you Draco, but I fear if you keep singing my praises the way you are I may never be able to fit my head into the elevator door."
"Never fear my dear, I know a few nifty deflation charms."
Draco and Hermione shared a quiet laugh and all to soon dessert was finished and they were now back in their carriage heading towards Hogwarts.
Draco sat on the same side as her this time, as it was later the night air was cooler and Hermione had not brought a wrap she shivered slightly. Which of course Draco noticed immediately since he hadn't taken his eyes from her body since they sat in their chair.
He firmly wrapped an arm around her shoulders pulling her to him and enclosing her within the warmth of his cloak, he bent his head slightly into her hair and inhaled deeply. 'Jasmine.'
Hermione was quiet content herself, snuggled up closely to Draco greedily taking in all the warmth, she could smell a rather expensive.... 'Muggle' cologne CK if she remembered correctly, it had been ages since she had been anywhere near a muggle shopping centre. She had slowly nodded off to sleep, it had been a long day after all.
When they arrived at the Hogwarts entrance doors Draco turned her face up gently and placed a light kiss on her lips to wake her.
Which she did lazily her eyes slowly fluttering open and a small shy smile appeared on her face as she looked into the eyes of her once hated peer.
He was about to descend upon her lips once more, when all of a sudden the door to the carriage was wrenched open and a loud. "Har-money." Reached their ears. Hermione blushed furiously at being caught in such an embarrassing position, Draco looked extremely pissed at being interrupted.
'What the fuck was Viktor Krum doing here anyway, did the man not have the common sense to see that they were sharing an intimate evening and they did not want to be interrupted by the likes of this oaf, honestly the man had no idea what the words social etiquette meant.'
Next thing Draco new Hermione was leaping out of the carriage and into the burly seekers arms screaming.
"Viktor what are you doing here? Why didn't you tell me you were coming? Why aren't you in Bulgaria with you Quidditch team?"
Viktor chuckled as he swung Hermione around. 'She would never change.' Viktor thought.
"V'one Question at a time my sweet Har-money, I am 'ere to take ova' thee flying instruction 'vor thee year, Madam Houch took some 'oliday's for a year. I did not 'ave time to owl you, I 'vas very busy to get here and get settled. And last but not least I 'ave taken thee year off from Quidditch and I 'ave not decided if I shall return to it."
Viktor smiled down at Hermione now that her feet were back on the ground even in her heels he was a substantial amount taller than what she was.
"That's great Viktor, I noticed you have been practicing your English, you are getting very good you can nearly say my name."
Draco cleared his throat behind the pair of old friends, Hermione immediately blushed at her behaviour. 'How could I be so rude, what he must think of me now.'
"Draco I am terribly sorry, I did not mean to disregard you in such a way, please forgive my bad manners. You remember Victor Krum from our fourth year Tri-wizard tournament?" At Draco's nod Hermione continued.
"We have been friends ever since corresponding by owl with one another."
Draco wasn't quiet sure how to take this news. 'Did this mean that she and Krum were together? If so she would not have leaned in to kiss me before Krum opened the bloody door, talk about timing.'
"Viktor." Draco nodded courtly towards the rather larger Bulgarian man.
"Draco." Viktor responded in kind.
Viktor turned to Hermione offering the crook of his arm and said.
"Hermione allow me to escort you to your rooms." Hermione looked between the two young men and wasn't quiet sure what to do in such a predicament. 'Draco just took me out for a lovely evening, would it be rude to allow Viktor to take me to my rooms?'
Hermione settled her brown shinning eyes on Draco's cool steal ones.
"Draco would you mind if we left this evening here? There is no point in making you work all the way through the castle, when Viktor will make sure I get in all right."
"Of course Hermione, thank you for not wanting to inconvenience me it is very thoughtful of you."
Draco stepped forward and took Hermione's hand in his he brought it slowly to his lips, never once breaking eye contact with her as he caressed the back of her hand with his mouth.
Hermione was feeling a little over whelmed by the intensity in his eyes, like he was staking a claim on her or something, she blushed deeply mumbled a very shy "good night" and quickly pecked Draco on the cheek before she turned and took Viktor's offered arm and headed into the castle.
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Draco was seething big time all the way back to Malfoy Manor. 'Where the bloody hell had Krum come from? What was he doing here now? The more important question I should be asking is. If he is going to be a problem?' He was going to have to speak with his father about this little hiccup. 'Gods I'm in for a long evening.'
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Please, Please Review me. Thanx alicat XOXO.
Reviews:
themagicmare87: I know there are a few little hiccups in the fic with spelling errors and such, but I haven't heard from my beta in ages and she was the best, I don't think I could replace her, so if your out there 'CanadianPixie' drop me a line I would love to have you back. yeah I hate soft cock Draco too lol. thank you for Reviewing.
Vespera3: I am glad you are finding my fic interesting, that makes me feel really good about updating, thank you.
Hermione O'Rourke: Thank you very much for your kind words of encouragement, it does motivate me into writing more I am glad that you are enjoying my fic.
Tracy3: Thank you very much I do appreciate your review.
Romm: You will have to keep reading to find out (lol) Thank you very much for your review.
Sage and Snape: You just happen to be one of my own favourite authors and it means alot to me that you took the time to have a look at my little creation. Thank you for your kind words of encouragement and constructive criticism. P.S. I can't wait for your next update.