The clock on the wall kept ticking as he waited. He was alone now. Everyone had left to get food. He sat there unable to keep calm. Why wasn't he in there? Why wasn't he there?

They'd told him no, he wasn't' allowed, it was plain stupidity. Old fashioned and stupid but he complied, if only for the sake of keeping calm.

He closed his eyes and sat against the wall. He'd have to think of something to keep his mind off this torture.

###

They sat in the wizard café in silence. Hermione had some exotic wizard coffee and Draco had a simple butter beer. He'd ordered a few cakes as a side treat.

They hadn't spoken when they'd left the club. They hadn't spoken when they reached the café and ordered they just stared at each other. Draco couldn't think of anything to say.

'What would you say?' His mind sneered. 'Jeez I'm sorry that I called you all those things in school. Would you go out with me this weekend?'

"So." She said breaking the silence.

"So." He repeated She gave a short laugh.

"I'm sorry. I really never expected to ever see you again. To be quite honest when we left school my greatest wish was to never lay eyes on you again."

He winced a little at the comment but put on his usual Malfoy front.

"Well sorry to break your wish."

"No it's alright. In all honesty I'd replayed our meeting a thousand times over. I always thought the first thing I'd do would be slap you. This has been a very interesting change."

"I can imagine." He got a little closer. "So tell me. What have you been up to Hermione granger?"

She started telling him about working for the ministry. She was working in the newest section of the ministry, the environmental and health section.

"You know how a lot of wizards and witches want to be able to talk to people who have their similar backgrounds, well I help clean the environment and I do research on the health factors. She finished softly. "What about you?"

"Been working in one of the wizarding businesses. The international trades and affairs." He said simply crossing his arms over his chest as he drank his butter beer. "Nothing much apart from that."

"You're married to your job." She said with a laugh. He raised an eyebrow. 'If you only knew.'

"Yeah. You could say that." He looked into her deep brown eyes. "But by the looks of it so are you.'

"I'll admit it yes." She said leaning against the table. Her hair tousled a little from the movement.

His eyes held a bit of mischief as he smirked. "Late hours."

"No social life."

"No holidays."

"No parties."

"No significant others."

"No dates."

"Go out with me." He said all of a sudden. She opened her eyes wide and leaned back looking quite shocked.

"What?"

'No point turning back now Malfoy.' His mind taunted. 'You blurted it out. No finish it.'

He took a deep breath and repeated himself. "Go out with me."

"I…I don't' know what to say. Draco you hate me."

"Would I have asked you here if I hated you?" He said sincerely. "Hermione, please go out with me. Nothing intimate just dinner."

"Why?" She asked. Her eyes held a little shock but mostly doubt. Would he stand her up just to humiliate her? "You haven't seen me in so long and you've seen me maybe three hours at the most and you want to go out with me?"

"Yes." He said bluntly. He was starting to get annoyed. Why couldn't she just say no already and break his heart?

"Are you trying to make a fool of me Draco?" Oh how he loved the way she said his name. The way it just rolled off her tongue.

"No." He said softly. "I'm over that. Look I know you hate me. I don't deserve anything from you. I treated you like crap over the last seven years and I never apologized for any of it. I'm going to do it now Hermione. I'm sorry I said you were nothing, I'm sorry I called you a mudblood and I'm so sorry I acted like I hated you."

"I don't hate you Draco." She said just as softly. "You hurt me and I tried so hard to hate you but I just kept hurting. I hated it when you teased me or called me a mudblood but I could never truly hate you. None of us could. When I heard about your father I felt bad. I heard that you were the one to find him and I honestly would never wish that upon anyone."

"So you feel sorry for me?" He sneered. 'Great the girl I love pity's me.'

"No Draco. I don't feel sorry for you. It's just I never thought you'd want to go out with me." Draco stared at her for a long time and realized that maybe her self-esteem wasn't' as wonderful as she made it out to be.

"Just one date." He said. "No strings attached, just one dinner and that's it." Anything would be better than rejection. He really couldn't handle rejection and if she did his heart would seriously need to be replaced.

"I, Draco I haven't been on a date since we left Hogwarts." She said. Was she making excuses or was she truly afraid of him?

"I know." He remembered how Ron had broken up with her. Telling her that he wouldn't be second to anyone. They remained friends but not as close.

She stayed silent for a long moment. Probably trying to think logically about what she would do. She hadn't been on a date for a long time and well here was Draco Malfoy offering one to her. This man had taunted her for seven years. He'd disgraced her and humiliated her on many occasions but he was also the torment of her dreams.

'One night to fulfill your hearts deepest desire, a night with Draco Malfoy.' Her mind whispered. She sighed and looked into Draco's steel blue eyes.

"Alright." She finally said.

Draco looked nothing less than stunned. His eyes widened and he gripped the table. She'd said yes. She had accepted his request of a date with him. His mind was baffled, logic didn't seem to be placed in her answer but who cared. She said yes.

With a triumphant grin he nodded and took another sip of his drink. "I'll need your number."

"Yes. What day are you planning on us going out?" She asked as calmly as possible.

"Next Saturday." He said smugly. "I'll pick you up at six."

"Take that smug look off your face Malfoy. I can always change my mind." She warned. He loosened the smirk a little but didn't loose it. He looked as innocent as possible.

He breathed in softly and looked at his reflection. He was standing in front of his bathroom mirror. He'd bought the apartment six months ago when his parents kept going on holidays. He'd suggested it to them. To make up for lost time, so when that started happening the manor felt a lot colder than it really was so he'd bought his own place.

After dropping Hermione at her house he'd come back to the apartment only to be bombarded with telephone calls from his friends who had seen him leave with Hermione.

'Worse than women they are.' He thought as he finished buttoning up his shirt.

They'd come over and started asking questions and he'd answered truthfully. They'd almost burst and thrown a party with what he'd told them and he wouldn't lie when he said he was happy.

She said yes, that's all his mind could think about. The most beautiful woman in existence said yes to me after years of torment.

He looked at the clock on his wall. '5:25' it read. He finished getting ready and started for the door. For someone who had been so against muggles he owned a lot of muggle things.

Grabbing his car keys he walked down to the elevator. It took him a good twenty minutes to get to her house. She lived in a small two-story townhouse just outside Hogsmeade with Lavender and another room mate.

He arrived just on time and grabbed the flowers he'd brought her. Walking up the neatly bricked path he noticed the way the front garden was laid out. There were rose bushes towards the back with brilliant red's and pinks and a few whites here and there.

Towards the front were rainbows of colors. Different flowers and herbs he suspected Hermione and the others used for spells.

He now stood at the wooden door and he rang the doorbell. It took a good two minutes for someone to answer and he heard the running of a woman on heals.

"Draco. Nice to see you, she'll be down in a minute." Lavender said out of breath. He nodded and followed her into the living area. It had very comfortable looking couches and it looked very cozy. The fireplace was full of pictures of family and friends, even old pets. He had once envied all this. Now though his mansion was starting to have some of those things. Slowly he was recovering the family he'd lost.

Lavender went back upstairs and he heard a lot of murmuring and excitement. Hermione had really not been on a date for that long.

He stood up when he heard footsteps coming down the stares. He grinned broadly when she came down. She wore a beautiful green dress with a matching shawl. Her hair was placed in a loose bun leaving some strands hanging down to accent her face. Her face was gently painted in makeup, just enough to highlight her features. Her eyes were shadowed with dark mascara and it made her look mysterious and wild. He definitely liked that look

No words were said between them as she came down the stairs. Only when she was standing in front of him did he say anything.

"You look beautiful." He whispered. Lavender stood at the doorway of their kitchen watching with their roommate Cassandra, a witch who worked in Hogsmeade.

"Thank you." She said with a blush. "I hope it isn't' too formal. I honestly didn't know what to wear."

"Granger you're babbling." He said with a smirk. He placed a finger on her lips and said. "You look perfect."

"Have a good time." Cassandra called out with a giggle. Hermione blushed as they left.

"I didn't think you owned a muggle car." Hermione commented as they got into his Volvo. (It's my favorite car so it's going to be Draco's as well.)

"Well with the work I do I was forced to buy one. Wasn't working apparating everywhere. Some wizard buildings are in the muggle world. Almost got caught a few times. It's just easier to come out of a tunnel that appear on a street."

"Oh, so where are we going?" She asked as she put her seatbelt on. He just smirked and started the car.

"You'll see." He said putting on his sunglasses.

He apparated the car to one of the tunnels in London and they drove on ignoring the look of shocked little children

They finally reached a fancy looking restaurant in the heart of London. Draco took Hermione's hand when he parked the car and he led her into the beautiful hallway.

"Oh Merlin." She whispered. She hadn't been to a place like this before. The beautifully varnished floors reflected the guest's image; the walls were a beautiful shade of light maroon with pictures hung all around it. The ceiling was enormous and was painted a very light shade of peach with gold lining.

The waiter came up to them and bowed slightly before asking Draco if they had reservations.

"Yes, under Draco Malfoy." He said and the two were lead to the upper level of the restaurant.

They were lead to a small table near one of the French windows. If you looked you could see the lights start to turn on around the city.

"It's amazing." She whispered and looked at Draco with a smile. His heart skipped a few beats and he grinned at her slowly. They were given the menu and they started to order their meal.

"Order whatever you want." Draco said smoothly looking at his menu. Hermione stayed quiet. She looked over her menu to see the less expensive meals. "What?"

"Oh nothing. Just looking." She flipped the menu to look at anything a little cheaper but found that most were the same price.

She started to look nervous. She couldn't ask Draco to buy her anything from here. It was all too expensive. She looked down at her dress then looked around at the elegant outfits other women wore. She suddenly felt inferior. Something that had become very common for her.

"No granger. Something's up. Don't see anything you'd like on the menu?" He asked. It was a classy up joint. Maybe it was too fancy for her taste buds.

"No nothings wrong." She muttered but subconsciously grabbed at her dress. Draco watched her for a moment and understood as her eyes glanced around the room.

"Hermione." He murmured gently. "Don't worry. You look perfect; choose anything you want on the menu. Don't worry about how much it is alright?"

She nodded slowly and looked at the menu again. The waiter came back and poured them both some water.

"Would you like to order some drinks?"

"Yes, I'd like a bottle of your best red wine, a glass of Chateau Tanunda Brandy and Hermione what do you want?" Draco said smoothly.

"A glass of Chardonnay." She said quietly still browsing the menu but smiling up at the waiter.

"I'll be right back. Then I'll take your order." He left to the bar.

"Draco this is all too much, can you really afford this?" Hermione said still self-conscious.

"Yes it's fine, stop worrying." Draco said looking over his menu one last time.

"It's just I've never really been anywhere so expensive. I mean look at everyone, the way their dressed and look at me." She blurted putting down the menu.

Draco couldn't help laughing. Hermione made the face she'd make when she was upset at Harry or Ron and looked like she was going to protest his sudden outburst of laughter but he raised a finger before she could open her mouth.

"I don't mean to laugh but look around you look perfect, everyone in this room seems to be dull compared to you. You think this place is too expensive I think you deserve it. I look at you and I see an elegant woman who is ten times better than any other woman in this room."

Hermione blushed a bright red and he grabbed her hand. "I mean it, you're beautiful and no I don't mind paying to bring you here."

"I didn't think you thought I was all that." She said quietly but there was a smile on her face. "You never did before."

"I was an idiot back then Hermione. I was listening to what I was told. I never really opened my eyes to see the truth. Now one of my closest friends is half muggle, I was too blind at what I had to realize what I didn't have."

"You seem so different, I look at you and I feel like I'm meeting you for the first time. There is still a lot I can remember from Hogwarts but still it all feels so different now."

"We are different, the both of us. Listen I've grown up. I'm not the snob I used to be, there are still things that are the same but a lot isn't. You're right there and I would like to show you how much is different."

"I would like that a lot." Hermione gently reached over and brushed her fingertips against the back of his hand.

"Are you ready to order sir?" The waiter had returned with their drinks and stood waiting for them to order.

"Yes I think we are." Draco took a quick glance back at his menu. "I'll have the number one lobster."

"Very good sir and you madam?"

"I'll have the number five steak."

"Very well. I will return with your food." With that he left to give the orders. Draco watched Hermione as she sipped her drink and admired the pictures.

He watched as her hands curved around the glass. How her lips touched its rim delicately, her skin looked so soft to him and he wondered what it would be like to feel those hands on his chest, her eyes were still bright like they were in Hogwarts but now they held something else. Something he hadn't noticed the night at the club. They held experience, not magic, life.

She had always been so book wormish, she had always been so concerned about her grades and at the coffee shop she'd said she worked for the ministry, and like him she worked long hours and was technically married to her work but still she'd lived. She'd allowed herself to feel emotions, to feel pain of heartache; love, friendship and she'd seen things. Maybe not a lot but she had.

He was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn't feel when she reached out her hand and touched his fingers. It took him a minute but when he felt the jolt of electricity run through his hand he realized what was going on.

"I want to thank you for tonight, no one's ever done something like this for me like I told you and I don't think I'll forget it too easily." She had a smile on her face, a genuine smile that showed gratitude and something else, could it be? Affection?

"You're welcome, I just hope it's not the last time you'll let me."

"Maybe, you'll just have to wait and see."

###

He was still alone, his mind was full and his stomach was empty so it was hard for him to do much else than pace. He wanted to be in there, it was his right wasn't it? Maybe if he were in there he wouldn't be so uptight, he shook his head and rubbed his temples. NO he would be worse off if he were in there, that's why he wasn't in there.

He would be a nervous wreck and maybe he wouldn't' be much help but still he wished he could be sure everything was all right.

So many things had happened since that fateful night at the club. So many memories to think about till it was time to go in. He just wished he wasn't alone, not physically but in his mind.

###

Two months had gone by but to Draco if felt like an eternity. Not a bad eternity either.

"Draco where are we going?" Hermione asked him as they drove down the countryside.

"I already told you that it's a surprise. I won't tell you till we get there."

"You're terrible." She made her little face, the one that he'd come to adore. Her lips pouted a little and her eyes were half closed, giving her a child like appearance.

"Thank you, I know I am."

"I can't believe you convinced me to skip my weekend schedule."

"Well we both work too much, my boss almost had a heart attack and asked if I was feeling well." Draco smirked as she laughed. "You need to get out of that lab. So I spoke to your boss and he seemed very pleased that you were going away. Actually he seemed to want you gone for a while. Something about you overwork yourself and need a break."

"That's not true. I do my job very well thank you very much." She protested in a defensive manner.

"I'm sure you do, but I'm going to prove to you that you can do this just as well."

"Is that a challenge Mr. Malfoy?"

"Yes I believe it is Miss Granger, up for the challenge?"

"Have I disappointed you so far?" She said with a smirk.

"No."

"Then you're on."

"Good, just what I wanted to hear."

"You better be careful Malfoy, I won't always do what you want."

'And that what I love about you, I have to work to get my way.' His mind whispered.

They drove for another half an hour, watching the scenery change as they drove further away from anyone. It was beautiful. Lakes and trees, meadows and the sweet smells that came from the wild flowers.

They finally reached a spot near a large body of water. It was bright and seemed to breath and welcome them as Draco stopped the car.

Hermione stepped out and seemed to be in awe as she walked on the fresh grass. Draco watched as she touched flowers and inspected the scenery around her. He took everything out of the car and with a flick of his was set a blanket and a picnic basket out on the softest piece of grass.

After spending so much time with her in the last two months he'd come to realize things he probably would have never noticed. Behind her bold and cool exterior laid a delicate crystal that could shatter at any moment and he knew a lot about crystals. They needed special care or their energy would dull and finally die. He had ever intention of keeping this crystal alive and vibrant and the first step was to show her that he wanted her in his life. Not just as his friend but as much more.

Meanwhile Hermione continued to explore around her, it was breathtaking like everything else she seemed to be experiencing lately. All because of him. Her secret devotion, the man she would love even if he tore her heart.

It was the reason Ron had broken up with her. Because he saw even before she realized that she would never belong to anyone else but the Slytherin king.

She'd denied it over and over but now she realized, he was her world. Even if she'd hated it, loathed the thought that her dreams were filled with his face she couldn't help but fall deeper in love with him.

Perhaps she always had loved him. He was her match in every way. He was intelligent, talented, determined and stubborn. Just like she was, he worked for the things he wanted even if he went the wrong way of getting it and no one told him he was wrong and in true these were the things that drove her crazy. Haunted her while she slept in her lonely bed.

He was her fantasy, how many nights had she awakened reaching for the man who in her dreams was the father to her children, her lover and companion? Too many to count that was the answer her heart and her mind repeated.

Her mind raced as they sat down and ate, they talked about idle things that had happened in the week that didn't seem to have any importance but the weather was soothing and it made the atmosphere less tense.

It always seemed tense around them, though neither would ever admit it. They both saw these outing as just friendly get together and nothing more, both too afraid to get hurt and not realizing that they both wanted the same thing.

The day passed and they enjoyed each other's company. Nothing important was said but perhaps for the first time this felt like more than just an innocent date. It felt secluded and romantic. Not that Draco hadn't been romantic on their other dates it was just that it had always been in a very public atmosphere and never truly private.

Late into the afternoon they packed and headed back to the city, Draco apparated this time to save time but his mind was so distracted that they ended up not in Hogsmeade like he'd intended but a block from his apartment.

"Oh damn, I'm sorry." He apologized.

"It's ok, I'd like to see where you live." She said sincerely. It was an honest answer and in her mind she had determined this. If Draco could not be anything more than a friend then he would-be her closest and friends see where the other lives and even though it would break her heart when he'd find someone new and he would tell her everything about her she'd live. Like she always had when her heart was broken.

"Alright, come on." He stopped the car in his private parking spot and they walked up the stairs. He was a little nervous. He'd never had a woman in this apartment. No he was no virgin, in Hogwarts he'd used so many girls for his pleasure and he'd done it with every intention of hurting them. Then when his heart started to ache for the one girl who he knew would never give herself to him he became worse with them. He slept with girls to pretend even for a moment that it was her. How many memory charms had he placed on pansy Parkinson when he'd accidentally called out Hermione's name instead of hers? How many times had she dyed her hair for him when he asked her to without realizing that he wasn't picturing her but a girl who in his eyes was a goddess? No Draco Malfoy was no stranger to sex but he was a stranger to love.

"I will admit it's not much, I um am not that great with décor I suppose." He said as he opened the door. Hermione was left speechless.

If this was what Draco Malfoy though was dull he was very much mistaken. It was beautiful. She had thought his room would be green but it wasn't. There were blues and light shades of cream; the kitten was stainless steel and marble. His couches were a burgundy red that if she knew he'd bought because the color reminded him of her would have made her cry.

His bathroom was a beautiful shade of peach that was contrasted by shades or lilacs and the sweet smell of jasmine.

His room was what impressed her the most. The ceiling was enchanted to fit the sky and the walls were a rich blue with hints of green here and there, not the main color as she had expected.

His furniture was cherry wood and his bedspread was a soft material that was also thick and had the shape of two dragons that actually moved around on the bed peacefully.

"Draco this is amazing." She said as he handed her a glass of water.

"It's what I could o with it, I'll admit it's a bit um bachelor." He said with a smirk.

"It's perfect."

They sat and talked for what seemed hours, for some reason being there made her more at ease. Like maybe this was her home too.

It was midnight and she realized she needed to get home but what happened next was anything but what they expected.

"I should get going, I can apparate from here."

"Yeah, um I'm still sorry, I should have been paying more attention." He said getting up and taking her glass. He seemed disappointed that she wanted to leave.

"Draco?"

"Yes?"

"I had a wonderful time."

"It was my pleasure." As they spoke they got closer, unaware of their movement. He was now at arms length and there was nothing Hermione wanted more than to leap into his arms and embrace him. Their minds must have been working in synchronization because without realizing it Hermione found herself wrapping her arms around Draco pressing her lips harshly against his and he in turn was doing the same.

They couldn't breath, they didn't' care really. Frustration, torment and longing just wouldn't let them part. Too much emotion ran threw them to stop but neither wanted it to go too far at least not yet but to Draco who had so much experience with women felt like this should never end. This was making love, sex that was just a physical pleasure. Kissing the woman you loved and adored was love, he was joining souls with her and his mind knew this was what his life was missing.

"Please, don't let me go." She begged when he loosened his grip.

"Never, god I wanted to tell you from the moment I saw you again, I love you I need you I've missed you so much every moment we're apart and I want you. I want everything about you, I want your heart I want your soul your body your mind everything. I have to have you, I can't live without you."

She relished every word and indulged in them, ecstasy was what she felt. No man had ever touched her but his words felt just as good.

"Draco I love you, now shut up and kiss me damn it."

###

Yay I updated, Hehe. Sorry it's taken so long. You have to understand writers block, husband, no internet and well I'm pregnant. So lots happening. I haven't' abandoned any story but let me get this one out of the way for now Kay.

Luv ya all and thanks for your patience.

Sanura