Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
Jelly Beans Beware: I'm very happy that you like this story and many thanks for reviewing.
Erika: Sorry for the extremely late update, but here it is the next chapter of Harry's Favor.
ilovetom88: Thanks for reviewing.
redoctober123: Here's the update!
LadySnake: I absolutely love Draco's character too. As for the storyline, it just came to me one day.
corditheoddball: You'll just have to wait and see if there are any more revenge plots for Lavender. Right now I have no plans for any more competitions, but I may in the future so stay tuned.
Cybeleflame: I am glad that I can amuse my readers with my extremely lacking writing skills.
Tears-That-Fall: Lol! Lavender deserves to get shot with a ball of silicon.
Citcat299: I'm not sure if you would consider what I have planned to be dramatic or not, but I hope you enjoy it nevertheless.
periwinklemagic- Here's the update, although very much overdue. Enjoy!
Karana Belle- I'm very excited that there is finally some action now too.
TITILLANDIS: I'll be sure to send you an e-mail as soon as this next chapter is posted.
Angelps7: Thanks for reviewing and showing an interest in Matchmaker. Congratulation on becoming the 100th reviewer and earning a cameo appearance in my next fic. I'll be sure to mention what that will be in the authors note at the end of the chapter.
Draco's all mine: It's good to hear that you enjoy reading my story and an e-mail is soon on its way.
YamiClara: Here's chapter nine.
Fpg: Everybody seems to dislike Harry in this story, but I guess it can't be helped. Continue to support Draco/Hermione.
Only Secret: We'll just have to wait and see for Hermione's final decision.
Yuki-chan: Thanks for the support!
Ofkjsfhlkjd: Matchmaking will soon be up as well.
Frifri: Welcome back to the intoxicating world of fanfiction. That's how I was for a while which resulted in my very late update.
Lady Zymurgy: I love fuzzy stories as well; they really help in cheering you up.
Christina: Updated!
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Scottiechick-2001: This is definitely a Hermione/Draco fic as said before. Please continue reading.
Luna: You have absolutely nothing to worry about. Leave everything to me.
Kaci: Chapter 9 is up.
Chapter 9:
The next day, Hermione was giddy with energy from the previous nights events. She could not believe that she would see Harry soon. The brunette got ready for the day and nearly skipped the entire way down to the hotel's restaurant.
"You're certainly happy today, Hermione," A gentle voice said from behind her.
"Is it that obvious Elli?" Hermione asked her co-worker.
Elli laughed as she put down two trays, one for her and the other for Hermione and answered, "You never were one to easily hide your emotions, especially positive ones. Are you just excited that it's your birthday today?"
"Birthday?" Hermione asked startled. She had not realized that it was her birthday, but she pretended to be happy about that instead of telling Elli about Harry. She was strangely embarrassed to tell her that she like many others in the wizarding world had a crush on the Harry Potter. "Yes, of course. Who wouldn't be?"
Elli's smile disappeared, "It's too bad that we have to start working on the portkey today. I'm not sure when we would have time to have a proper party."
"Well, I guess it can't be helped." Hermione said, but added. "Although it would have been nice to have a party."
Hermione and Elli's conversation veered in a different direction, mostly about their ideas on the project. They were too busy to notice that Draco who was sitting at the table behind theirs was starting to leave.
"Oh Elli, I'd better gather some things in my room now if I want to make it to the site in time." Hermione said getting up. "I'll see you later tonight?"
"Sure, but don't work too hard. Don't push yourself to see me later." Elli said.
"I won't. Bye." Hermione said waving from the other side of the room.
The line for the elevator was too long, so she decided to take the stairs since her room was only on the third floor. She was feeling a bit sore once she reached her room. 'I must be growing old. I guess I shouldn't sit at a desk with a bunch of papers all the time.' Hermione thought.
She tried to clean up the clutter on her desk as best as she could and stuffed the parchments into a folder to carry. Once she was done she quickly apparated to the appointed spot, which was apparently a rundown shore shack.
Hermione smiled, thinking about how well the antimuggle charms were placed on the place. Even a normal wizard, might be affected by it, even it is only slight. She walked inside the building ignoring the warning signs placed outside it and found herself in a cleanly swept room. She immediately noticed the portkey, which was shaped as a vending machine.
"Ah Granger. You're finally here." Draco said causing all the groups attention to be diverted to her. He continued as if he did not realize the event. "I assume you've brought all the papers."
Hermione nodded as she set down a large folder, filled to the brim with notes. She took out all the packets of parchment carefully and handed it to all the members. "These are the instructions on how the process will be done."
She pointed to the first page of the packet and said. "Now first we should check if there are any holes in our antimuggle charms."
When no one moved, Draco said, "Well, you heard her, we'll split up into pairs and inspect a side of the building."
Before anyone could decide who would go with whom, Draco took Hermione's hand and led her outside. "Come on. We'll never finish this in time if we don't hurry."
Hermione took her hand out of Draco's and said despite the hint of a blush on her cheeks. "I get it. You didn't have to drag me outside."
Noticing her blush, Draco said teasingly, "It doesn't seem like you hated it too much by the looks of it."
Her face turned a shade redder and Hermione retorted. "Shut up and get to work. Who would want to hold your hand?"
"I was just kidding." Draco said shrugging.
After careful scrutiny, Hermione and Draco discovered two minor cracks in their barrier. They swiftly pooled their powers and fixed them. In a matter of an hour they were finished.
"I guess we're done." Hermione said, starting to head inside. "We should get back inside."
Draco looked startled at the comment and yelled for her to wait, but was too late. Hermione opened the door to the shack and was in a shower of confetti.
"Happy Birthday!" The people in the other two groups who were supposedly working on the other portkeys shouted. The other two who were working on the right side of the building came in about a minute later, saying that they were supposed to help with the party, but Hermione and Draco were too fast repairing the barrier.
"I don't know what to say." Hermione said. "Elli, you should have told me you had a party planned."
Elli shook her head and pointed to Draco. "Don't thank me, Mr. Malfoy planned the whole thing."
"Really?" Hermione asked genuinely surprised. "Thanks a lot Malfoy."
Noticing Draco's embarrassed face, Elli brought attention to herself again by saying. "That's not all, we have another surprise for you."
The door to the shack opened and two redheads ran inside. They each gave her a hug before handing her Hermione's presents. "Surprise." They said in unison.
After the flurry of minutes where Hermione greeted Ginny and Gwen, the candles on the cake were lit. There was a loud chorus of Happy Birthday, as Hermione blew out the candles, followed by loud cheering
Ginny dragged Hermione to where the pile of gifts lay on a side table. She picked up a box wrapped in a bright red paper along with a gold ribbon. "Open this one first Mione."
"All right." Hermione answered taking the gift from Ginny. When the gift was fully unwrapped, she gasped in pleasant surprise. It was a necklace with a delicately crafted griffin as a pendant. "Thank you so much."
Ginny grinned and pointed to where Gwen was coming back from giving out the slices of cake. "The necklace is from both of us."
"Well then many thanks to both of you." Said Hermione putting the jewelry on.
Opening the rest of the gifts took about half an hour and by then Hermione was growing a bit tired. She told Ginny and Gwen that she was going to take a walk to get some fresh air. She started to head towards the beach.
Hermione took her shoes off before stepping onto the sandy shore and sat down near enough to the water that the water lapped gently over the ends of her feet.
She couldn't help but let out a sigh because it was the perfect night, except that she sincerely wished that Harry could have made it to Bali on her birthday. 'Ah well, I can't have everything.'
Hermione spun her head around when she heard footsteps coming up to her from behind. When she saw who it was she turned her attention back to the waves. "Hey Malfoy."
"Hey yourself." Draco answered sitting down next to her. "What are you doing out here?"
Hermione shrugged. "I needed a bit of fresh air. It was getting a bit stuffy inside."
Draco raised an eyebrow questioningly. "That's really all? Somehow I find that hard to believe."
"Now you're suddenly the expert on me?" Hermione said avoiding the question, but when Draco wouldn't let the matter slide she said reluctantly. "Fine, I'll tell you already. I was thinking about how I wished that Harry was here."
"Oh." Draco replied his face unreadable. "I understand."
"I know I'm being selfish because I know how busy Harry is and all." Hermione said surprising herself when her vision started to blur with tears. "But I guess I was hoping that he would put me as his first priority."
"Did you really think that Harry would let your birthday pass without doing anything?" Draco asked gently. He picked up a bouquet of roses as well as a beautifully wrapped gift and handed it to Hermione.
Hermione didn't know what to say so with nervous hands opened up the present carefully. It contained a first edition, House Elf Movement. She was in shock and could only ask. "How did he find it? I've been looking for this since my fourth year at Hogwarts."
"He has lots of connections." Draco said simply. "He was probably able to meet the author who wrote the book."
"Yeah, you're probably right." Hermione said her mood a great deal lighter compared to before. Draco was taken aback when the brunette gave him a hug. "Malfoy, thanks for everything today. You know the party, cheering me up, and delivering Harry's gift."
"You're welcome." Draco said and added when he saw Hermione shiver. "We should get back inside, it's getting chilly."
Hermione nodded, too cold to protest otherwise and the two of them walked back to the party. When they arrived, Ginny and Gwen told them that most of the others had to leave because they had to leave for Paris and work on a new portkey. Hermione bid her two friends good night and her and Draco headed back to the hotel.
"I'll see you tomorrow." Hermione said waving Draco goodbye.
She opened the hotel room door and walked inside her room. Hermione was getting ready for bed when her phone rang. Not sure who would call her this late at night she answered the phone. "Hello."
"Hey Mione. It's me Harry."
Hermione's eyes widened in surprise, and answered. "Hi, why are you calling me so late?"
"Well, I wanted to wish you Happy Birthday before the day was out." Harry replied. "So, Happy Birthday."
Hermione was touched that Harry called her all the way from England. "Thanks Harry."
"Don't worry, it's just a phone call. It would have been better if I could see you in person." Harry said.
Hermione shook her head. "That's not true at all. It was like you were here today, I mean you even sent me a gift."
There was a pause before Hermione heard Harry speak again. "I didn't give you your gift yet. I meant to give it to you tomorrow."
"Really?" Hermione said bewildered. "But I thought-you know what never mind."
"Okay, I have to go now if I want to get there tomorrow morning."
"Oh right. Bye Harry." Hermione heard a click from the phone when Harry put down the receiver. She glanced over at the flowers and book before putting down the phone. She was too exhausted to think at the moment and decided to worry it about the next day.
A/N: Hi everyone. I finally came back and wrote the long awaited ninth chapter of Harry's Favor. To be honest, I lost my motivation to write fanfiction, but now I'm back and you can be sure that I will update more frequently from now on. Oh and for the last time, this will be a Draco/Hermione fic by the end. As always read and review!