Seeds of Seduction

Chapter 20: Ron's Suspicions

Draco smiled as he led Hermione out of the hospital. At the parking lot, he paused and turned to Hermione.

"Put this on," he said sneakily holding out a black velvet blindfold.

"But why?" asked Hermione wrinkling her nose.

"I want it to be a surprise," said Draco as if it was obvious.

Rolling her eyes, Hermione nimbly tied the blindfold around her eyes and then clutched onto Draco for support. Draco wrapped his hands firmly around her waist and held her close to him. Bringing her head to rest on Draco's muscular chest, Hermione pressed her hands under her chin and closed her eyes. A few seconds later, she could feel the familiar sensation of the ground moving underneath her feet.

"Ok," whispered Draco letting Hermione go and turning her around.

Hermione gasped in pleasure as she stared at the scenery in front of her.

They were in front of the ocean at the back of a restaurant. The sky was a midnight black and millions of silver stars were sprinkled upon the expansive ceiling. The blue and green waves of the ocean crashed upon the shores, dragging particles of sand along with them. The stretch of sand was pure white. Far into the distance, Hermione could see nothing but darkness. Behind them, there was the restaurant decorated in tiny white lights. A few feet away from where they were standing on the sand, there was a band and a dance floor. Pink, white, and red rose petals were strewn across the polished immaculate dark brown floor. Around the table were small dainty glass tables surrounded by plush cream chairs. Waiters and waitresses in tuxedos and formal outfits carried crystal trays of appetizers and tall glasses of champagne.

"Oh my god Draco," breathed Hermione turning to face Draco, "It's beautiful."

"Anything for you," said Draco softly kissing her on her cheek and offering her his arm, "Shall we milady?" asked Draco mockingly.

Laughing Hermione took his arm walked with him into the restaurant.

"Table for two. The name is Draco Malfoy," said Draco politely to the waiter.

"Yes sir. This way please," instructed the young waiter leading her over to a small square table in the corner of the room. The tablecloth was a soft crème and a small crystal vase filled with pink and white roses was in the center of the table.

"Sir?" asked the waiter holding the chair for Draco.

"Ma'am?" said the waiter pulling the next chair for Hermione.

"Thank you," said Hermione smiling graciously at the waiter.

"Wine before you dine?" asked the waiter holding out the rich gold menu, "Here's our selection of spirits. Don't hesitate to call me once you have made your choice."

"Thank you," said Draco graciously taking the menu.

"What would you like?" asked Draco.

"Let me see," said Hermione shifting her chair so she was next to Draco. He was now sitting on one side and she was perpendicular to him on his right side.

"The Bordeaux is good," suggested Hermione, "I had it when I went to France years ago."

"Bordeaux it is," said Draco closing the menu.

Waving the waiter over, Draco ordered a bottle of the wine.

"To you," said Draco raising his glass.

"No, to us," corrected Hermione raising her glass and smiling shyly at Draco.

Draco observed Hermione for a few moments and then his face relaxed into a gently smile.

"To us," he said softly clinking his glass delicately with hers.

Hermione smiled and took a sip of her wine.

"How are you feeling?" asked Draco placing his hand on hers after putting his glass down on the tablecloth.

"Much better now that I'm out," laughed Hermione, "The hospital was making me feel sicker than usual! Were you the one who put me in the hospital?"

"Yes," admitted Draco, "Later that night, you were burning with a fever. Reporters had started flooding into the Leaky Cauldron. You were bleeding all over the place. There was a small trail of blood leading to my room. I had to get you out of there. The safest place would be St. Mungo's. I admitted you under the care that you were seriously ill."

"Do they suspect me?" asked Hermione apprehensively.

"No, not at all," smiled Draco, "There was no one who saw you the night before. The only way people will know if it's you will be if it leaves my lips."

"Thank you," said Hermione visibly relaxing then leaned over and kissed Draco quickly.

"Excuse me," said a voice above them, "Would you care for our dinner menu?"

"I would love dinner right now," smiled Hermione taking the menu.

"God, what to choose," whispered Hermione taking in the long lists of appetizers and food.

"I would recommend the Fricassee de Mer et sa Julienne de legumes avec la salade de tomate."

"What's that?" whispered Draco to Hermione looking completely baffled.

"He's saying Sea Fricassée on thinly shredded vegetable. It's fish. Along with it, there's tomato salad," translated Hermione.

"Exactement mademoiselle," beamed the waiter.

"Sounds good to me," said Draco handing the waiter his menu.

"And I'll have the Quiche Lorraine," added Hermione.

"Very good," complimented the waiter scribbling on a pad a paper.

"You idiot," laughed Hermione, "Why did you choose a French restaurant if you don't know the language?"

"It just sounded fancy," protested Draco, "How was I supposed to know that their menus were written in French? This isn't France."

Hermione just laughed and shook her head.

. & .

"Harry, I knew that this was going to happen!" yelled Ron.

"Knew what?" asked Harry.

"Don't you bloody see what I'm talking about," said Ron shaking Harry roughly. "Hermione is falling in love with that..that.. THING!"

"Calm down," said Harry seating himself next to Ginny who was sprawled on Hermione's bed in her hospital room. "Start from the beginning. You're being an idiot. You're being blind. "

"Calm down, CALM DOWN! YOU WANT ME TO CALM DOWN!" roared Ron" Hermione is out with that ferret and you WANT ME TO CALM DOWN!"

"How can you say that just because she's not here it means that she's out with Malfoy," said Ginny matter-of-factly.

"I just know," sputtered Ron kicking Hermione's bookcase.

Her books came spilled out and a certain paperback book fell at Ron's feet on the floor. But not before he had seen the name "Draco" imprinted inside the cover.

"See?" yelled Ron snatching the book, "Here's proof! See for yourself."

"Ok, so he wrote her a note in the book," said Harry rolling his eyes, "He has to pretend that he loves her."

"Yeah but," spluttered Ron, "Look, I saw her yesterday. She got rose from the ferret! And she was smiling and squealing her head off!"

"Shut up Ron," said Harry getting fed up, "Say another stupid word and I'm kicking you out of this project."

"Fine," roared Ron, "I have proof. Wait here."

Slamming the door behind him, he ran throughout the halls until he found Hermione's nurse.

"Geez," breathed Ginny leaning against Harry, "What's eating him?"

"I think that maybe he realized how much he loved Hermione since he's not with that whore," murmured Harry kissing her head.

Just then Ron came back in practically dragging the terrified nurse behind him.

"Ok, did you see Hermione leave tonight with a young man?" asked Ron trying to keep from yelling.

"Y…Yes," stammered the nurse, "She left with a young blond man. He called himself Mr. Malfoy. "

"Told you," yelled Ron triumphantly at the guilty and shocked faces of Harry and Ginny. "You yelled at me. You called me blind. You threatened to kick me out of the mission. Now hear with your own ears!"

"Thank you," he barked at the nurse who scuttled away looking terrified.

"What do you have to say?" said Ron plopping on the couch and staring at Harry victorious.

"You were right," said Harry, "She is starting to see Malfoy for than necessary but I still don't think it's getting serious between them. She went to his house at Christmas and multiple times after I…I killed …" he trailed off.

Ginny squeezed his hand comfortingly, " Well, what do we do?" she asked.

"We cut the mission short," said Ron automatically, "Tell her that there's no need to attack them one more time. Set up one more meeting where she tells Draco the place to meet her. However, we'll be there as well."

"And I still have to seek revenge for Moony," growled Harry his eyes burning with anger. "I'll murder him at that meeting. He needs to die; Voldemort will angrier than ever and his army will be made stronger. Then we won't stand a chance. Everything we worked for will be wasted; those who died fighting will have died in vain and I won't allow that. Malfoy will have to die. "

Silence fell in the hospital room.

"Who will tell Hermione about the final meeting?" asked Ron finally.

"I will," said Ginny a determined look shining in her hazel eyes.

. & .

"That was a really great dinner Draco. Thanks you," murmured Hermione leaning against Draco as they walked towards the balcony overlooking the ocean.

"You're welcome," said Draco kissing her head,

"It's so beautiful," said Hermione as she sat with Draco at one of the tables surrounding the dance floor.

The moon was shining brightly on the dark blue and green waters of the ocean. The waves were crashing on the white shore. Hermione laughed as a few water droplets hit her bare skin. Couples were on the dance floor and the band struck up a soft song.

"Care to dance?" asked Draco holding his hand out to Hermione.

"I would love to," smiled Hermione rising gracefully and twirling on the dance floor.

She stepped close to Draco who wrapped her arms around her. Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck loosely and waited as the first strains droned out.

I'd like to run away from you
But if I were to leave you I would die
I'd like to break the chains you put around me
And yet I'll never try

Hermione and Draco started to move slowly to the music. Holding her outwards. She twirled back into him. Moving gracefully, the couple moving to the center of the dance floor.

No matter what you do you drive me crazy
I'd rather be alone
But then I know my life would be so empty
As soon as you were gone

Hermione was quickly losing all conscious of her surrounding as she stared into Draco's eyes. He too was staring into her hazel eyes. Unconsciously, she pulled back from Draco who grasped her hands and pulled her close to him.

Impossible to live with you
But I could never live without you
For whatever you do / For whatever you do
I never, never, never
Want to be in love with anyone but you

The couple weaved throughout the dance floor nimbly moving around all the couples.

You make me sad
You make me strong
You make me mad
You make me long for you / You make me long for you

You make me live
You make me die
You make me laugh
You make me cry for you / You make me cry for you

I hate you
Then I love you
Then I love you
Then I hate you
Then I love you more
For whatever you do
I never, never, never
Want to be in love with anyone but you

You treat me wrong
You treat me right
You let me be
You make me fight with you / I could never live without you

You make me high
You bring me down
You set me free
You hold me bound to you

I hate you
Then I love you
Then I love you
Then I hate you
Then I love you more / I love you more
For whatever you do / For whatever you do
I never, never, never
Want to be in love with anyone but you

I never, never, never
I never, never, never
I never, never, never
Want to be in love with anyone but you
But you

Letting go of one of her hands, Hermione held on to his left hand and pulled away. Draco caught her and dipped her down. Hermione smiled unconsciously as she slowly drowned in his silver eyes. So many emotions were swirling within the depths…love, passion, confusion…sorrow. She simply stayed there, her light brown hair just brushing the dance floor, her hands clasped around Draco's neck.

Draco breathed peacefully as he held Hermione's waist. She looked so angelic, so peaceful beneath him. Her brown eyes gazed steadfastly at his visage. Gently, he pulled her up still staring into her hazel eyes.

Hermione smiled softly and looked down breaking the spell. Her cheeks were flushed and her heart was beating wildly. Not saying a word, the couple walked off the floor and back to their table. Just as they settled down a drop of water hit Hermione's cheek.

That single drop of water seemed to have broken the silence between the two. Laughing Hermione stood up as the water droplets came down faster and the heavens opened. Draco laughed as he watched Hermione run down the stairs and onto the sand. Burying his hands into the pockets of his jeans, he laughed as she ran and giggled like a young girl. All around him, the formally clad women and men were running into the restaurant for shelter.

Draco simply stood in the rain, his blond hair plastered to his forehead watching Hermione. Hermione turned towards him her now drenched hair swinging into his mischievous face. Her eyes were sparkling and full of happiness. Something about her expression jerked Draco to attention. Running quickly, he leaped down the steps pulling off his soaked jacket and kicking off his drenched socks and shoes. In just his white shirt and pants, he ran after Hermione who had kicked off her stilettos by now. Squealing she ran into the waves followed by a laughing Draco.

Turning around, Hermione kicked the water towards Draco laughing all the while. Draco ducked and laughed along with her as the chilly water hit him and the cold wind whipped his hair and clothes. Lunging out, he caught Hermione by her two arms and scooped her up. Squealing with mirth, Hermione wrapped her arms around Draco as she swung her amidst the rain and the crashing waves.

Unable to see where he was going, Draco's foot suddenly collided with something hard. Yelling, he pitched forward bringing Hermione with him. Falling onto the white sand, Draco fell on top of Hermione.

Hermione blinked and looked up. Draco was breathing hard. His blond hair was plastered to his forehead. His now drenched crisp white shirt was sticking to his body showing every muscle. Breathing heavily, Hermione ran a finger down his face and then down his neck.

Draco felt shivers down his spine as she trailed around his cheekbone. Her hair was spread over the sand and water droplets were running down her creamy white skin. Her chest was falling and rising with every breath she took. Leaning down, Draco softly kissed her. Breaking away, he kissed her again and again. Wrapping her arms around his neck, Hermione kissed back closing her eyes in the process. Shifting himself so he was more comfortable, he buried his face in her neck and closed his eyes.

And that's how they woke up the next morning.

A/N: Hey! Thanks so much for all the reviews! I'm extremely sorry that it's been a while since I've posted the chapter but I've been extremely busy with Chemistry AP; I'm not doing very well in that class. I do have a chemistry test this week so I won't be able to post until next week sometime. My grade is on the borderline and I can't risk this. But here's the next chapter; it's much longer and I hope that y'all review because it makes me want to update faster! So please review!