Ding. The lift arrives at our level. We are on our way to a would-be-awkward lunch.

Chapter 5: Stupid Lunch for Starters

2004-02-04 Sunday (1405 hrs)
The Lenviosa Restaurant

Finally. We are here. At The Lenviosa Restaurant. A comfortable blast of warm air whips my face as I enter the, needless to say, classy restaurant. I am awed by the elegance of the place when we arrived. When was the last time I set foot into somewhere half as posh as this? Pieces of matching antiques and paintings line an ancient aisle. Even the lightings of the place were tuned to perfection for its customers' relaxation. So perfect.

But as I closely examine the place, I find out that the aisle seems long, leading to where, I do not know. Another weird thing: why aren't there any dining tables and chairs in sight? People don't dine standing and holding plates in their hands.

"Draco Malfoy. I…" Malfoy reports his name and is about to say something more when the waiter with the looks of a model who just walked out of a cologne ad cuts in.

He bows. "Mr Draco Malfoy. Your table for two is ready. Please…" Then, Mr Model raises his arm and ushers the both of us to the far end of the incredibly long aisle.

As we walk along the aisles, changing lanes every now and then, passing by several tasteful ornaments and art pieces, I couldn't help but feel impressed by Malfoy's great taste with choosing of the restaurant. So maybe I was wrong to think that he was just a disdainful bighead.

The three of us walk slowly and silently towards our table. (Isn't it amazing how a big, expensive restaurant like this can get this quiet? So quiet that you can even hear a pin drop onto the carpeted floor? Somehow, it feels eerie…) Gradually, we reach a section of the restaurant that is dimly lit and seems to be themed for lovers to dine after we climbed a flight of stairs.

Wait a minute. Why am I here with Malfoy at The Lenviosa Restaurant's Lovers Loft (I saw the name of this section at the side of the staircase)?

"Mal–Where's he?" I ask as I turn to meet Malfoy in the eye. The waiter is not around anymore.

"Who's your 'he'?" He asks stupidly. Despite his taste in choosing places for lunch, his intelligence is still barely there.

"That waiter." I point out, feeling as stupid as he is for answering him.

"Gone." Malfoy answers simply. Okay, so maybe he did not know that I am not stupid like him – and it is not a surprise, given his intelligence or lack thereof, he cannot really figure many things out easily.

"I mean…"

Before I can finish my words, he interrupts, "We've been standing and walking for quite some time already so how about a seat?"

"Sit for all I care." I mumble under my breath as I take my seat at the tiny wooden table. Malfoy hurries over to pull my chair but I try to ignore him for as much as I can.

Then, he goes back to his chair and picks up the menu. "What would you like?"

How gentlemanly. I scan the piece of clean laminated menu before me. My eyes zigzag across the menu and ultimately, they land on a meal that costs sixty-two galleons, three sickles and six knuts. Perfect! Definitely the most expensive meal in the restaurant! I look up from the menu to my boss and am about to tell him what I want when he stops me – again.

"How about this?" He offers, pointing his long, pale index finger on a Lovers Meal. I almost puke. Noticing that my face turns green, Malfoy says, "Uh… You okay?" He is probably afraid of any non-natural reaction from me given how I practically spat on him this morning.

"I'm not okay." I admit. No use lying. "I mean, I don't want that set." I add hesitantly.

A look of dejection is instantly printed on his face. "Well, okay…"

Shit. Now he makes me feel bad. Why must he change so much? From worst to bad. I would rather he change from worst to worst-er. "Look," I say, sitting up straight, "I don't know what'd happened to you but... Why did you change?"

Confusion takes it place on Malfoy's face. "Huh?" An intelligent question - if you can call that a question.

"Don't 'huh' me!" I hiss. "Who are you?"

The cloud of confusion that fogged his face seconds ago lifted. The Stranger bursts out laughing and slaps the table noiselessly.

I suddenly feel like somebody set fire on my face. Hermione Idiot Granger, why on Earth did you ask him that question? Frustration brew in my mind and the worst thing is that I cannot let it out. "Are you done laughing?" It went out of my mouth before I could do anything.

Stranger sits up straight in his chair again and pats his robes, that cheekiness completely gone. He clears his throat, "Ahem, really, you have to excuse my silliness just now." Of course I won't, jerk. "So… why don't we talk while we eat? Have you decided on what you want?"

"Yeah…" I reply uncertainly. "Set Three... With salmons and… everything." He he he… Look at his face. Ha ha!

Wait, something's wrong. His face hasn't got the oh-you-are-so-bitchy-to-empty-my-pocket expression that I wanted, instead, it's the wow-you-sure-know-what-is-good expression. Sigh. So here is another question that needs to be added to the Ask Malfoy list: Why are you so unexpected? Wait, is that good or bad?

"What?" I shoot him a venomous look, although I already know what was what.

He gives me that grin. That big, boyish grin that looks so good on him. But, still. He raises his hand and snaps his fingers in the air. A second later, Mr Model appears next to our table. "May I take your order?" Mr Model offers and took out his quill and a notebook of parchments.

Malfoy tells him what we want and nods at the end. "That's about it, isn't it, Hermione?" He turns to me.

"Uh… Yeah. Yes." I confirm rather uncomfortably.

Malfoy's smile deepens and he turns back to Mr Model and says, "Thank you."

"All right." He declares, adding one last stroke to his parchment, "The food is on the way." He magically let the orders burn into air in his hand. Half a second later, delicious-smelling dishes appear with a spliing right before our eyes and settle gently on the table. "Please enjoy." Mr Model disappears with a pop in mid-bow.

Malfoy gestures me to tuck in – but I am not going to touch the appealing food unless… "Talk." I command.

"What?" He quizzes with that same veil of confusion on his face.

"Tell me!" I cry, letting my arms fly into the air above. "Why did you change?"

The subject gently lays his fork and knife on both sides of his plate. The situation seems dangerous with the smirk plastered on. A faint cling erupts when his fork hits the porcelain plate delicately. "Do you really want to know why?"

Come on. People can't be so stupid for the entire day, can they? "My patience," I breathe, "has its limits."

"That's noticeable." He nods in agreement.

I give him a you-better-talk stare.

"Fine. Since you really want to know…" Malfoy wriggles his eyebrow at me flirtatiously. Ew. Is this called 'fraternising with the enemy'? "Actually…" he drags, "I just want you to be my girlfriend."

Sometimes, the build-up of earwax in my ears can really be very troublesome. I let my hand reach for my glass of water and feel my fingers wrap around the crystal glass. Slowly, I raise the water to my lips and take a sip, all the while keeping my eyes on him. "Come again?" I hear myself say.

He grins slyly. "I said: I just want you to be my girlfriend."

My jaw drops. When did I say I am not going to gape at anyone no matter what?

"Hey," The Record Breaker for Stupidity says, nearly laughing, "don't get your knickers in a twist. I can almost see the cogs turning and whirring in your head you know."

If I still have my senses back in me now, I would have attacked him. But then, I figure that I should make a brilliant verbal comeback instead of a violent spell. Because I would surprise him more then, no? I put on a fake, sweet smile and say gently, "I'm fine, darling." I notice that he cringes slightly, though his smile did not waver, but I ignore his response and continue with my sweet act, "I'm just happy that you are finally proclaiming your feelings for me." Then, I exclaim harshly, "Because it confirms the fact that you are more demented than a Dementor!" With that, I conclude that Malfoy's joke has damaged my brain severely as what I said just now was NOT a brilliant comeback.

Out of embarrassment and anger, I stand up from my chair and proceed to the exit.