Seeds of Seduction

Chapter 13: Letters and Shopping

Hermione threw her bag onto her sofa as she walked into her bedroom. Unraveling her scarf, she threw it alongside the bed as she walked to her desk. Seating herself down on the soft wooden chair, she lit a match. Holding the orange and yellow flame away from her, she lit the lavender candle and then blew the match out. Sighing happily, Hermione picked up her quill and ripped a piece of parchment from her pad of paper. Wrapping her feet around the legs of the chair, Hermione looked out the window.

The small white snowflakes were falling outside the clear glass pane. The meadow near them was covered in a thick blanket of white. Hermione's mind drifted away as she beheld the serene scenery in front of her. Everything was so peaceful. The fire behind Hermione crackled ad hissed as the wood crumbled into ashes. Sucking on her quill, Hermione smiled softly as she watched two figures play on the blanket. A tall black haired man picked up a petite red haired girl and swung her around. Laughing, the girl buried her face into his neck. Love and compassion shone on her lover's face as he held her close.

Time stood still as she gazed from the window. Everything vanished as she lost herself in the world around her. Hermione sighed wistfully as she watched them. She knew how they felt. It has been so long since she had had someone to love, someone to hold and kiss, someone to listen to her every joy and woe. It had been so long since she felt the flame of love spread through her body. It had been so long since someone had held her. Hermione longed to be like them. She longed to have someone special for her. Of course, Draco had held her close to him, but he was only pretending.

It had been so very long since Viktor Krum had held her in his arms and kissed her. The thought of Viktor jerked her from her stupor. Running a hand through her long hazel hair, she pulled the parchment towards her. It had been 4 years since she and Viktor had broken up. The long distance relationship had been too hard to handle. The frequent letters that were once long and expressive soon became stretched and boring. Hermione found that writing to him had lost his magic. Viktor found himself falling for other Durmstrang girls and Hermione found herself falling in love with Ron. But even after they agreed to break it off their sixth year, they had continued to remain the best of friends.

Dear Victor,

How are you? It's been so long since I've written you a reply to your last letter. Things have changed so much since you've left a few months ago. I guess I'll tell you about my friends first. Harry and Ron are doing fine with their jobs. Harry has asked Ginny to marry him! I'm not sure when they will be formally married but Harry has expressed a wish for the union to be after he kills Voldemort. Ron is doing just as well but his fortune with Lavender hasn't been as lucky as Harry's with Ginny. He's still dating her and to tell the truth I am quite surprised that he's even managed to maintain this relationship for the intensity and length that it's been. You know Ron; you saw how he was attracted to any female that has a chest and is easy. But I'm beginning to feel that he's become quite serious about Lavender. I wonder if you can detect the slight wistfulness in my voice. I am trying to keep the pain and longing at a minimum. I have no one to blame but myself for not making a move towards him when I had the chance.

But that's all in the past. The strangest thing happened today. I can't tell Harry or Ron; they'd probably take me lightly or think I'm weird. I happened to run into a former enemy of mine at the bookstore in Diagon Alley. You've probably heard of him; Draco Malfoy. He was quite infamous at Hogwarts when you last visited. It turned out that we talked for a while actually. I found a side to him that I never saw, a side that I never even thought could exist in him. I saw him being gentle, being an actual human for a change. For the first time since I met him, he showed emotion besides being cold and unfeeling. And I couldn't help but marvel at this personality that he had kept hidden for 7 years. Was it because I assumed that his outer façade was his only character? Or was it because I was too blind to dig further? Was I so blinded with prejudice that I really never got to know his background and why he was acting a certain way? Was I scared of being called a Mudblood or taunted by the rest of the Gryffindors? Now that I think about it, why didn't I even try to get to the root of everything?

As I stared at him, I couldn't help but wonder, why did people show a self that they're not? Why do they show the world a fake facade that doesn't exist?

I've waited so long to see that different side of Draco Malfoy. He's a thick chocolate cake with many layers to discover. It took me a long time to get to know him. I can only hope that it's not to late for me to bring out his true character.

Much love,

Hermione Granger

Sighing, Hermione folded the letter neatly. A sudden clanging noise of the clock opposite from her jerked her from her peace. Leaving the letter on the desk, she stood up and stretched. It was nine o'clock. Yawning, she pulled out a tiny blue tank top and blue shorts with a thin white strip on either side. She'd barely anytime to do anything she'd wanted. Her conversation with Draco had taken a long time. Then after that, she'd needed to run a few errands. She had been so caught up with his confessions that she'd catch herself standing and staring in space. It had taken her three times the time she had estimated. By the time, she had arrived it was 8 o'clock. And she hadn't gotten any Christmas shopping done. There was only a week until Christmas and she hadn't even bought presents for Ron, Ginny, Harry, and Draco.

Hermione smiled to herself as she changed. That afternoon had really touched her in a way she hadn't thought possible. After neatly folding her clothes, Hermione slipped on a pair of flip-flops and picked up the letter and her wallet. She then set down the winding staircase and was on her way to the front door when it swung open and a tired Ron walked in. With Lavender by his side.

"Hey Hermione," said Ron as he took off his coat.

Just the sight of her made Hermione's blood boil. Her perfect blond hair was falling around her shoulders and her perfect hourglass figure made Hermione want to puke.

"Hello Hermione," chirped Lavender.

"Hello," said Hermione frostily plastering a fake smile on her features though the smile didn't reach her cold eyes.

"You going somewhere?" asked Ron curiously when he spotted the letter in Hermione's hand.

"Oh," said Hermione, "Yeah, I have to deliver this letter. Why?"

"I thought we have to have that meeting," reminded Ron.

"Oh, well then please excuse me," said Lavender hastily.

Hermione's eyes narrowed in slits as Ron leaned towards Lavender and captured her lips with hers. Hermione waited patiently but as the kiss grew more intimate and the seconds passed, Hermione's anger fueled. Setting her jaw and her eyes flashing, Hermione grabbed her thick woolen coat from the rack and her boots. Stalking past them, she walked out into the cold. After pulling on her coat and boots, she stalked out into the snow and apparated into Diagon Alley. Cursing under her breath, she put the letter in her pocket.

The minutes passed slowly while Hermione slowly walked around the village. Now that the snowfall had slowed, the village was full of people. Lights strung on the roofs and building shone and Hermione could see the light and twinkle of ornaments radiating from Christmas trees that were in many shops. The sky was a deep dark blue and millions of twinkling stars winked at Hermione from the heavens as if to reassure her. Christmas shoppers and groups of teenagers walked down the street giggling and carrying heavy bags in their hands. Wistfully, Hermione remembered those days when she would come shopping with Harry and Ron. The thought of Ron fueled her anger.

Crossing her arms over her chest, her exhales came in clear white clouds. Biting her bottom lip, Hermione perched herself on a boulder on the sidewalk and pouted. What did that Lavender have that Hermione didn't? Ok, so Lavender was a virgin and she wasn't. Big deal. Hermione snorted, she'd be surprised if Lavender were a virgin even now.

Cursing under her breath, Hermione stood up and walked down the cobblestone path. She felt her anger subside as she peered into the many shops as she walked by. After posting her letter, she resumed strolling down the path ignoring the fact that she was completely blowing off the meeting. Suddenly Hermione stopped and gasped when she saw a crystal figurine in the display window. It was a clear solid crystal figurine of a dragon. Underneath in green and black letters was the word Draconis. It was perfect.

"Draco," she said slowly.

Immediately, Hermione ran into the store and grabbed the figurine off the shelf. Her heart beating with excitement, she checked the price tag and her smiles faded a little. It cost all of 150 galleons. Biting her lip, she played with the figurine contemplating whether she should get it or not. She remembered how much he had liked books. Maybe she could get some of those…no. She needed to distinguish her gift from everyone else's. Her mind made up, Hermione walked to the cashier before she changed her mind.

"150 galleons miss," said the young blond cashier.

Digging inside her wallet, Hermione pulled out a handful of coins and counted the required money out. The bag swinging from her arm, Hermione cheerfully walked out from the store. Smiling to herself, she skipped into a makeup and beauty shop across the street. She couldn't wait to give Draco his present in a week's time. After buying a set of lotions and bath products for Ginny, Hermione finally headed down to Harry and Ron's favorite shop: the Quidditch Shop. After rummaging through robes of different teams, Hermione finally picked out a team poster of the Chudley Cannons for Ron and a book of Quidditch tricks and interesting flying facts.

In a much better mood, Hermione apparated back to the headquarters of the Order. Hanging her coat and kicking off her wet boots, Hermione grabbed her bags and ran up the stairs to her room. Just as her fingertips touched the doorknob, she heard a voice behind her.

"Hermione," said Harry's cross voice.

Hermione turned and her highs spirits ebbed away when she saw the tall raven-haired man standing in front of Ginny's room with his arms over his chest.

"Harry," she said.

"Where were you?" asked Harry stonily.

"Out," she replied simply.

"Why were you out? You know very well that we were having a meeting tonight to discuss our further movements in our plan. You know how important this mission is to us. Why the hell weren't you here!" yelled Harry.

"I'm sorry ok," yelled back Hermione, "I had some things I needed to think over. And Ron wasn't on time either. He was busy making out with that whore! So stop blaming me for everything! I'm sorry I couldn't make it! It'll never happen again but I needed my space and some time for myself. "

"What's done is done ok? I'm sorry for yelling, just make sure that you come next time ok?" asked Harry his anger abating with Hermione's apology.

"Sure," answered Hermione finally, "Come in my room for a second ok? I have some stuff I want to talk to you about."

"Sure," acceded Harry.

"What's up?" asked Harry as he followed Hermione into her darkened room.

Hermione lit the fire and the candle before she continued.

"So, what plan did you three make?" asked Hermione, "I'm guessing it's concerning the spy isn't it?"

"Yes," sighed Harry heavily, "Ginny went hysterical. Ron finally agreed that evidence was pointing strongly towards Percy. He still doesn't believe that it can be him but like I said, better to be safe than sorry later on."

"When are we doing it Harry?"

"On the day after Christmas. I can't break the Weasleys' hearts before Christmas. It would crush them."

"It will crush them no matter what," said Hermione softly.

"I know," admitted Harry, "I just didn't have the heart to do it before Christmas. Oh, and also you need to get over this fling with Malfoy. Dumbledore needs this missions finished as soon as possible. Give one more meeting place to Malfoy and we'll go from there."

"O. K," said Hermione slowly. "I'll try to but we have to schedule a time and date for it to happen. Whenever I meet Malfoy next, I'll let you know ok?"

"Will do."

"So, when you getting engaged to Ginny?" asked Hermione.

"Ginny and I have decided that we'll wait until after the Final Battle. It's best for both of us," said Harry a smile lighting his face.

"I'm really happy for you Harry," said Hermione softly.

"Thank you," said Harry as he got up from the bed and enveloped Hermione in a bear hug.

"Mhmmm," mumbled Hermione, "Well, I'm feeling really sleepy right now. Good night Harry."

"G'nite Mione," said Harry.

Hermione gave him one last hug and then Harry walked out. After blowing out the candle, Hermione climbed into bed. With the comforter wrapped snugly around her, Hermione feel asleep to the sounds of the cracking fire and the memories of the day's events.

Hello! I'm so sorry about the delay. I was having major trouble writing this chapter. Thanks so much for every single review! I appreciate them a lot! Oh, just to clarify, Draco does not like Hermione yet. However, in this chapter, he really begins to see Hermione differently. Oh, btw, just to make it clear, this story is AU! Completely. Narcissa was being mentioned in here and yes, I know she's alive. In here, she plays a different role.

Mchs-angel08: hi! Yes, I totally understand why you would think the last chapter was irrelevant. There will be seduction and more scenes later on but I need to establish a base where Draco starts to love Hermione. He's not going to fall in love with her just he because he loves sleeping with her. And that's why I have to insert a few of these chapters to really establish a basis.