Thanks to my lovely reviewers xxx
Chapter Five – A Romantic Gesture
Draco had, of course, been upset when he had heard of Hermione and Harry's new found relationship, yet two weeks into their relationship and already cracks were beginning to show. It appeared the boy-who-lived was not necessarily the boy-who-loved, and there appeared to be very little change between Harry and Hermione's physical relationship; with the exception of a bit of holding hands when they remembered they were actually going out.
Draco punched the pillow in annoyance at Harry. Did he not know how to treat a woman? You couldn't just ignore them and expect them to feel for you in return. You had to show them how much they meant to you; even if it was just a quickie in the dungeons.
Making his mind up once and for all, Draco reached for parchment, ink and quill and scratched out a note to Hermione before beginning the preparations.
------------------------------
Hermione,
Be at the room of requirements at eight. Look sexy.
Hermione frowned at the note; there was no name or indication of who it was from, as it had arrived through the school floo system and not by owl. She dismissed it being from Harry almost immediately. He was training tonight and, even though Harry's idea of a romantic night would be her watching him play Quidditch, he hadn't invited her along.
"Which is fine," Hermione thought, "as I don't like Quidditch or freezing my ass off."
The note sounded more like it could be from...no, she was silly to think such a thing. And yet, she was excited by the thought it might be from him.
"It would be like him to command rather than to ask. Is it wrong that half of me hopes it is from him?"
Hermione sighed, her mind torn in two over what action she should take.
She was at a loose end today anyway as Harry and Ron both had Quidditch practice, and she wasn't allowed to go and see Ginny, whose conditioning was worsening everyday.
She had planned on working on the potion more but nothing more could be done for a few days as the fermented dragon scale had to fuse with the rest of the potion for three days before anything else could be added.
Another sigh slid from her lips; only this time it was joined by a slight smile as she opened her wardrobe to choose something "sexy."
---------------------------------------------------
Hermione slid silently from her room, quietly closing the door behind her and making her way to the room of requirements. She hated breaking school rules but tonight she was feeling a little...rebellious.
Mentally cursing herself for not having yet bought her own invisibility cloak, Hermione ducked behind a suit of armour to avoid being caught by the Bloody Baron doing the nightly rounds.
She found the room of requirements easily enough and gasped when she stepped inside. It was the most beautiful room she'd ever been inside; soft music was playing, the walls were draped in black velvet, dotted with shining diamonds. The room was lit with a thousand candles and to one side there was a small table set for two, and sat at that table was...Hermione's heart skipped a beat as she met his eyes.
"Hi." He said, grinning that impossibly sexy smile of his.
Hermione's tongue suddenly felt heavy and fluffy in her dry mouth and only a squeak was made. Draco laughed, taking in her appearance; she was the picture of loveliness.
She had chosen a black, strapless dress with a sweet-heart neck. The bodice fitted snugly to her curves and the skirt flared out to just below her knees in layers of black silk and chiffon. A pattern of silver roses was embroidered up the skirt and on her feet were delicate, black court shoes.
"You look lovely." He said.
Hermione thanked him, blushing; "You look...different" she responded, for the first time taking in Draco's appearance and trying to hide her smile. He had obviously made an effort for some reason. However, this effort seemed to involve him wearing dress robes of deep Gryffindor red, edged in gold. They were not his colours. The combination of scarlet and gold not only made him look paler than usual, they also clashed horribly with his platinum hair.
"You don't like?" Draco asked, sensing her amusement.
"I do, I just don't think red and gold are you colours."
"Ah well," Draco shrugged, "at least you're honest." And with a flick of his wand he replaced the Gryffindoresq robes with simple, but elegant, black ones.
"Much better." Hermione smiled.
"Thank you. Now, would you care for something to eat?"
Hermione took Draco's offered arm and allowed him to lead her to the small table where he not only pulled out her chair but also poured her a glass of wine.
"So unlike Harry." Hermione found herself thinking, before mentally slapping herself for comparing the two men; she had no right to judge her boyfriend. "Yeah, if you can call him that." Half of her spat. Another mental slap.
Hermione was surprised at how easily she and Draco were in each other's company. At the beginning of the friendship she had been dubious that they would still be able to talk civilised to each other after more than two meetings, yet she still found Draco's conversation intelligent, challenging and refreshing.
Draco watched Hermione enjoy her meal and the wine. She was becoming tipsy, he could tell.
"Bless her." He thought, smiling and sipping his own drink.
He enjoyed her company thoroughly. She was so much of a change to the dim- witted Slytherisn he had had to endure for the last six years. She was pretty too; her hair had been semi-tamed into an elegant bun at the back of her head, secured with two silver chopsticks. Yet, despite its mistress's attempt at trying to make the mane behave, still strands eluded her orders, to fall loosely around her heart-shaped face.
Draco couldn't help himself; he reached across the table and took hold of one of her slim, elegant hands. She shied away slightly at the unexpected contact yet she did not pull her hand completely away from his. His long fingers caressed the back of her hand, exploring the smooth, creamy skin, and he stood from the chair, offering himself to her.
Hermione observed the attractive man before her; one dance couldn't hurt. She rose from her chair and they began to sway in time to the music. She could feel the heat of Draco's hand on her hip through the material of the dress. Blood rose to her cheeks and she buried her face in the folds of his robes.
"Are you OK?" Draco asked, worried he may have upset or offended the young woman.
"Oh yes, yes. I'm fine." She answered, puling away from him to look into his eyes.
"Dragon eyes." Hermione muttered, startled.
"What?"
"You have dragon eyes-they change colour don't they? According to your mood."
"Why do you say that?"
"Well, normally they're a stormy grey but now they're..." Hermione looked closer. "They're blue."
"A nice blue I hope."
"The nicest." Hermione found herself saying.
Draco's blue met Hermione's cinnamon and together they closed and moved closer. There lips met for the second time and all the feelings that were in the first were felt again.
Hermione opened her mouth slightly, allowing Draco's velvety tongue inside. He kissed her with passion and need, as though this was all he had ever wanted. And she kissed him back with as much feeling.
Suddenly the sensible side of the brain Hermione had been trying to quiet with alcohol spoke up;
"What about Harry?" It asked.
"What about him?" Argued the other side. "He never kisses me like this. This is what I want...what I need."
"Well, who do you want?"
"I don't know!"
"Then you need to decide before this goes any further."
Exasperated at her logical mind, Hermione pulled away from the heavenly kiss;
"I can't do this." She explained, "Not yet anyway, not while I'm with Harry."
Draco nodded, hurt, but understanding, and they continued their dance.
"Um...why have you done all this?" Hermione asked suddenly.
"Because I know you're unhappy."
"I'm not unhappy."
"Yes you are Hermione, and you don't deserve to be. You should have everything, and everyone, you want."
"I'm not unhappy." Hermione repeated, pulling away from Draco. Although she knew he was right she was damned if she would admit it to him.
Draco shrugged;
"Whatever you say love."
"Don't you dare patronise me Draco Malfoy."
"I wasn't love, merely stating the truth."
"I...I...UGH!!!" Hermione turned and walked towards the door, but before she exited entirely she turned over her shoulder;
"And I am NOT your love." Before storming back to her rooms.
"You are to me." Draco muttered to no-one in particular.
Chapter Five – A Romantic Gesture
Draco had, of course, been upset when he had heard of Hermione and Harry's new found relationship, yet two weeks into their relationship and already cracks were beginning to show. It appeared the boy-who-lived was not necessarily the boy-who-loved, and there appeared to be very little change between Harry and Hermione's physical relationship; with the exception of a bit of holding hands when they remembered they were actually going out.
Draco punched the pillow in annoyance at Harry. Did he not know how to treat a woman? You couldn't just ignore them and expect them to feel for you in return. You had to show them how much they meant to you; even if it was just a quickie in the dungeons.
Making his mind up once and for all, Draco reached for parchment, ink and quill and scratched out a note to Hermione before beginning the preparations.
------------------------------
Hermione,
Be at the room of requirements at eight. Look sexy.
Hermione frowned at the note; there was no name or indication of who it was from, as it had arrived through the school floo system and not by owl. She dismissed it being from Harry almost immediately. He was training tonight and, even though Harry's idea of a romantic night would be her watching him play Quidditch, he hadn't invited her along.
"Which is fine," Hermione thought, "as I don't like Quidditch or freezing my ass off."
The note sounded more like it could be from...no, she was silly to think such a thing. And yet, she was excited by the thought it might be from him.
"It would be like him to command rather than to ask. Is it wrong that half of me hopes it is from him?"
Hermione sighed, her mind torn in two over what action she should take.
She was at a loose end today anyway as Harry and Ron both had Quidditch practice, and she wasn't allowed to go and see Ginny, whose conditioning was worsening everyday.
She had planned on working on the potion more but nothing more could be done for a few days as the fermented dragon scale had to fuse with the rest of the potion for three days before anything else could be added.
Another sigh slid from her lips; only this time it was joined by a slight smile as she opened her wardrobe to choose something "sexy."
---------------------------------------------------
Hermione slid silently from her room, quietly closing the door behind her and making her way to the room of requirements. She hated breaking school rules but tonight she was feeling a little...rebellious.
Mentally cursing herself for not having yet bought her own invisibility cloak, Hermione ducked behind a suit of armour to avoid being caught by the Bloody Baron doing the nightly rounds.
She found the room of requirements easily enough and gasped when she stepped inside. It was the most beautiful room she'd ever been inside; soft music was playing, the walls were draped in black velvet, dotted with shining diamonds. The room was lit with a thousand candles and to one side there was a small table set for two, and sat at that table was...Hermione's heart skipped a beat as she met his eyes.
"Hi." He said, grinning that impossibly sexy smile of his.
Hermione's tongue suddenly felt heavy and fluffy in her dry mouth and only a squeak was made. Draco laughed, taking in her appearance; she was the picture of loveliness.
She had chosen a black, strapless dress with a sweet-heart neck. The bodice fitted snugly to her curves and the skirt flared out to just below her knees in layers of black silk and chiffon. A pattern of silver roses was embroidered up the skirt and on her feet were delicate, black court shoes.
"You look lovely." He said.
Hermione thanked him, blushing; "You look...different" she responded, for the first time taking in Draco's appearance and trying to hide her smile. He had obviously made an effort for some reason. However, this effort seemed to involve him wearing dress robes of deep Gryffindor red, edged in gold. They were not his colours. The combination of scarlet and gold not only made him look paler than usual, they also clashed horribly with his platinum hair.
"You don't like?" Draco asked, sensing her amusement.
"I do, I just don't think red and gold are you colours."
"Ah well," Draco shrugged, "at least you're honest." And with a flick of his wand he replaced the Gryffindoresq robes with simple, but elegant, black ones.
"Much better." Hermione smiled.
"Thank you. Now, would you care for something to eat?"
Hermione took Draco's offered arm and allowed him to lead her to the small table where he not only pulled out her chair but also poured her a glass of wine.
"So unlike Harry." Hermione found herself thinking, before mentally slapping herself for comparing the two men; she had no right to judge her boyfriend. "Yeah, if you can call him that." Half of her spat. Another mental slap.
Hermione was surprised at how easily she and Draco were in each other's company. At the beginning of the friendship she had been dubious that they would still be able to talk civilised to each other after more than two meetings, yet she still found Draco's conversation intelligent, challenging and refreshing.
Draco watched Hermione enjoy her meal and the wine. She was becoming tipsy, he could tell.
"Bless her." He thought, smiling and sipping his own drink.
He enjoyed her company thoroughly. She was so much of a change to the dim- witted Slytherisn he had had to endure for the last six years. She was pretty too; her hair had been semi-tamed into an elegant bun at the back of her head, secured with two silver chopsticks. Yet, despite its mistress's attempt at trying to make the mane behave, still strands eluded her orders, to fall loosely around her heart-shaped face.
Draco couldn't help himself; he reached across the table and took hold of one of her slim, elegant hands. She shied away slightly at the unexpected contact yet she did not pull her hand completely away from his. His long fingers caressed the back of her hand, exploring the smooth, creamy skin, and he stood from the chair, offering himself to her.
Hermione observed the attractive man before her; one dance couldn't hurt. She rose from her chair and they began to sway in time to the music. She could feel the heat of Draco's hand on her hip through the material of the dress. Blood rose to her cheeks and she buried her face in the folds of his robes.
"Are you OK?" Draco asked, worried he may have upset or offended the young woman.
"Oh yes, yes. I'm fine." She answered, puling away from him to look into his eyes.
"Dragon eyes." Hermione muttered, startled.
"What?"
"You have dragon eyes-they change colour don't they? According to your mood."
"Why do you say that?"
"Well, normally they're a stormy grey but now they're..." Hermione looked closer. "They're blue."
"A nice blue I hope."
"The nicest." Hermione found herself saying.
Draco's blue met Hermione's cinnamon and together they closed and moved closer. There lips met for the second time and all the feelings that were in the first were felt again.
Hermione opened her mouth slightly, allowing Draco's velvety tongue inside. He kissed her with passion and need, as though this was all he had ever wanted. And she kissed him back with as much feeling.
Suddenly the sensible side of the brain Hermione had been trying to quiet with alcohol spoke up;
"What about Harry?" It asked.
"What about him?" Argued the other side. "He never kisses me like this. This is what I want...what I need."
"Well, who do you want?"
"I don't know!"
"Then you need to decide before this goes any further."
Exasperated at her logical mind, Hermione pulled away from the heavenly kiss;
"I can't do this." She explained, "Not yet anyway, not while I'm with Harry."
Draco nodded, hurt, but understanding, and they continued their dance.
"Um...why have you done all this?" Hermione asked suddenly.
"Because I know you're unhappy."
"I'm not unhappy."
"Yes you are Hermione, and you don't deserve to be. You should have everything, and everyone, you want."
"I'm not unhappy." Hermione repeated, pulling away from Draco. Although she knew he was right she was damned if she would admit it to him.
Draco shrugged;
"Whatever you say love."
"Don't you dare patronise me Draco Malfoy."
"I wasn't love, merely stating the truth."
"I...I...UGH!!!" Hermione turned and walked towards the door, but before she exited entirely she turned over her shoulder;
"And I am NOT your love." Before storming back to her rooms.
"You are to me." Draco muttered to no-one in particular.