Chapter Twenty-One Dating a Malfoy

The first thing Hermione became aware of as the mild nausea of disapparation faded was cold. She blinked rapidly, sure vision was temporarily eluding her, but when the bright whiteness she saw didn't fade, she began to realise her mistake.

She turned to Draco, and his grinning face appeared, surrounded by white, and haloed with snowflakes.

"What do you think, Granger?"

Hermione stared at him, wide eyed, and then back at the vista before them. They were standing on the peak of a mountain. Snow covered slopes fell away from them in every direction, and the air was cold enough to make her lungs ache with every ingoing breath. The fog misting from her nose made her feel like a dragon.

"It's spectacular," she breathed. It was like they were standing in some untouched part of the world, far away from the troubles they were there to help fix, beyond the reach of anything. She shivered.

They were still holding hands, and Draco glanced at her as he felt the shudder of cold, lifting his wand to give a deft little twirl. Hermione breathed deeply as the heat from his warming charm washed over her.

"Thank you," she smiled up at him, snowflakes sticking to her eyelashes.

Draco smiled back, raising his eyebrows a little. "I'd be a pretty poor boyfriend if I let my girlfriend freeze on a mountain."

Hermione shot him a sideways glance, feeling a heat in her cheeks that very definitely was nothing to do with the warming charm, and turned her gaze back to their surroundings. "Where are we?"

"Switzerland, actually. Turn around."

Hermione did as he bade, and behind them, up a stairway of glistening ice that was so elaborate it could only exist with the aid of magic, was what looked like some kind of chateau. It sprawled over the rest of the mountain top, a pale pink stone monolith of elegant architecture, its blue-grey slate roof mounded with snow, and welcoming golden lights glimmering in the many windows.

Draco took her hand from his, shifting it to a more secure grip on his arm, and led her from the apparition point in the direction of the stairs.

Hermione held on tightly through her gloves and the thick padding of his coat. She knew the stairs would be charmed so they wouldn't slip, but instinct told her to be cautious regardless.

"This is Hotel Monte Rosa – well concealed from Muggles, of course."

Hermione nodded. She had heard of the hotel in passing – it had a somewhat legendary status associated with its exclusivity, and she had been to enough Ministry functions to meet the sort of people who holidayed there. She had never thought to count herself amongst their number.

As they reached the top of the stairs, the doors opened for them, warm light spilling out and lighting the last of the steps gold, and bringing with it a gush of warm air. Even with Draco's warming charm the chill was starting to bite, and they moved in with a flurry of snowflakes.

The moment they entered, Hermione became aware that Draco had erected what she thought of as his Malfoy persona. He was elegant, suave, and untouchable. But he was also holding her hand where it rested on his arm, and when he turned to her, there was a faint smile in his grey eyes.

He led them over to the reception desk, where a wizard in a plum velvet suit with a great deal of gold braid stood to welcome them.

"Good evening, sir, good evening, madam. How may I be of service?"

Draco leisurely removed his gloves. "We have a reservation under the name of Malfoy."

"Of course, one moment, sir." The wizard turned to check a gold embossed ledger. "Ah yes, our Premier Suite – an excellent choice, if I may say so, sir – that is all in order." He closed the ledger, and lifted his wand. "If sir and madam would extend their dominant hands for your keys?"

Hermione shot Draco a mildly quizzical glance, but he was still being a Malfoy, and so she copied as he removed the glove from his right hand, holding it out to the concierge.

The wizard twisted his wand, first over Hermione's palm, and then over Draco's. As the spell completed itself, a gold P glowed in each of their palms, surrounded by curlicues and on a background of the hotel's crest, shimmering for a few moments before fading.

"If sir and madam would like to follow Francois, he will take you to your rooms. We hope you enjoy your stay at Hotel Monte Rosa." He bowed and beamed, and another wizard in a plum velvet suit, with a little less gold braid, appeared as from nowhere behind them.

"Please, this way."

Draco wrapped his arm around Hermione's waist, ready to guide her forwards, but paused as he felt her rigid against his side. He glanced down at her, seeing the faintly set look to her smile, and rubbed her gently with his thumb, trying to relax her and remind her of the job they were there to do.

Hermione came back to herself, relaxing within the curve of Draco's arm, both relieved and confused by his gesture. She glanced up at him, shooting him a quick smile. Draco was looking down at her with that gentle expression once more, and it was still doing funny things to her stomach.

Taking a breath, Hermione turned to focus on the patiently waiting Francois, and he smiled, and led them away through the foyer.


"A floor? You booked an entire floor?" Hermione held in the exclamation until Francois had left with a gentle click of the doors.

Draco shrugged, pulling off his outerwear. It had begun to get oppressively hot with all the layers on indoors. "That's just what this suite is like. I believe they have one suite that takes three floors, but I thought that would be a touch excessive."

Hermione shook her head, also peeling off layers. "So this is how the other half live."

Draco lounged in a chair watching her. "The other one percent, I should think, but yes, I see your point."

Hermione pursed her lips at Draco, but let his correction slide. He wasn't wrong, even if he was just doing it to be annoying, and even then his usual smirk was somewhat softened. "So, what's next in your grand plan?"

"What, don't you want to explore our rooms first?" He gave her a cheeky grin.

Hermione couldn't deny she was curious to find out more about their disgustingly palatial suite. She had been on stakeouts and missions countless times before, but never in such luxury. She had to admit, it made a nice change. "Very well, it would make sense to be acquainted with the layout should anything untoward occur."

Draco stood, saluting crisply. "Yes, ma'am!"

Hermione rolled her eyes and wandered away from him, hearing him follow, padding softly on the thick carpet. The suite was beautiful, as everything else about the hotel had indicated it should be. They had a marble-tiled front hall, complete with an ornate closet for outdoor coats and cloaks. It let through onto the first reception room they had been in, which was complete with a small chandelier above a three-piece set of gold-gilt antique furniture arranged around a marble fireplace and artistically arranged oak panelled bookshelves.

Draco chuckled as he watched Granger veer very slightly towards the shelves, and could tell she was itching to investigate their contents. She heard him however, and turned to shoot him a dirty look over her shoulder, before forging forwards, deeper into the suite.

Beyond was their bedroom. The bed was a massive four poster, draped with blue velvet curtains, and piled high with plump pillows, the deep blue covers of which were embroidered with a gold HMR. On the left side they had another smaller sitting room and fire, for more intimate conversation than the large reception room, and their luggage was stacked neatly beside a door that no doubt led to a walk-in wardrobe.

Hermione stuck her head through it, and her suspicions were confirmed.

"This is ridiculous!" she breathed, turning back to Draco, who was watching her with a faint degree of anxiety. "The wardrobe is bigger than my whole bedroom at home!"

Draco peered past her. "How do you even fit your bed in there, Granger?"

Hermione rolled her eyes and gave him a light thump in the chest as she squeezed past. "Quiet, Malfoy."

Draco allowed himself a smile and followed her over to the bathroom. This too was palatial, with an enormous sunken bath in the centre, and a huge shower in the wall behind. There were candles arranged all around the room in sconces, perfect for a relaxing soak or a romantic one, and between the two large sinks there stood an array of jars and bottles filled with everything from potpourri and fresh flower petals for the bath, to scents and soaps and moisturisers. All the fittings were gold and the floor, walls, and ceilings were all veined green marble.

"Oh, I will be using this." Hermione couldn't help the gleeful grin that came to her face as she surveyed the bath. Her bathroom at home had a shower and bath combined, and it was impossible to fill the bath enough to cover the tops of her bent knees whenever she wanted a soak.

"You approve of the room, then?" Draco asked, smiling.

Hermione sniffed with feigned disdain and she turned back to him. "I suppose it will suffice." She held the expression for a few seconds before she burst out laughing.

"Is that really how you see me, Granger?" Draco chuckled as he watched her doubled up with laughter.

Hermione shrugged, righting herself and holding in the giggles with great difficulty as she flicked hair out of her face. "Only when you're being, you know," she drew herself up and looked haughtily around the room, "a Malfoy."

Draco conceded the point, returning to the bedroom.

"So what is your plan then?" Hermione fidgeted a little with her sleeve as she followed him out, casting about for something to distract herself with. Her eyes settled on the trunks, and she took out her wand, turning her back on Malfoy to unpack her clothes into the wardrobe.

Draco sat by the fire, watching. "There are a lot of things we can do – public activities – here at the hotel. I figured that as the whole point of this, from the perspective of our loved-up selves, is that it's out first time in public as a couple, there's not too much point in doing private dinners et cetera, so we'll dine in the main dining room. I'm guessing we've reached the point where we're just thrilled to be together in public, and have stopped caring what others think?"

Hermione chewed on her lip as she flicked a spell at her robes to knock out the creases. They had at last reached the topics she both wanted to discuss and avoid. She straightened her back, reminding herself that she was a professional, hoisting a detached expression onto her face as she turned, finished with the wardrobe. "Yes. I know it'll seem somewhat unlikely given that both of us are relatively private about our personal lives, but if we pitch it as 'true love' then people will lap it up. In my experience the general public love that kind of a story so much they won't look too hard for implausibilities in the story."

"Indeed." Draco watched her carefully, aware of his pulse speeding fast beneath his collar. "So." He cleared his throat, annoyed at himself as the words stuck slightly. "What are you OK with?"

Hermione blinked, thrown for a moment.

"I mean," Draco hurried on, "given that, you know, we should know each other's boundaries and, erm, preferences, by now if we were a couple, and also the fact that we should know each other's boundaries anyway because, er…" he cast about, flailing more than he ever had in his entire life, "that's important. I think."

Hermione waited for his garbled explanation to end, still shocked to the core by his question. It was not something any man had ever asked her before, and she was unprepared to answer. "I agree." She said slowly. "It is important. Very important." She stared at him, no more words coming to her.

Draco sucked in a breath, bringing with it a return to his usual composure, though his pale cheeks remained pink. "So…I am asking you, Hermione, what are you OK with?"

Hermione swallowed, and slowly sat in the chair opposite, her gaze fixed on her fingers now tangled in her lap. "I don't have an answer exactly," she said quietly. "It's not a question I've been asked before." She waited as the silence stretched out, and then eventually looked up, unable to bear not knowing his reaction for another second.

Draco was staring at her, stunned. "OK. Well then…" he frowned into the flames. "Use legilimency to tell me if things are going too far."

Hermione swallowed and nodded.

"Right." Draco nodded, hands drifting up to adjust the tie and collar that weren't there. "I'll go dress for dinner then."

Hermione nodded. "Oh! Draco…"

Draco spun on the spot. "Yes?"

Hermione flushed, feeling her own awkwardness, and shrugged. "Uh, I checked with the Obliviators today…it looks like it's just between us. The um, weird legilimency thing."

"Oh." Draco paused, conclusions and possibilities and questions running through his mind. "Good to know."


Hermione took over the bathroom after Draco finished with it, eschewing a bath for the moment to get under the powerful shower, hoping that the water could wash away some of the confusion of feelings going through her. The showerhead was like a small waterfall, and the cascade thundered over her, relaxing her muscles, but not the tension of her feelings.

She couldn't deny that there was something about the situation, that it was with Draco specifically, that made something in her leap. But close on the heels of that feeling was adrenaline and fear, and the knowledge that this was a job.

She ran her fingers through her hair, untangling the knots and washing out the shampoo. It's work, Hermione. You are colleagues, and this is a job. You are a professional.

She stood for a while longer under the blast of the shower, aware that she was prolonging the inevitable, and frustrated that she couldn't put her finger on why. Eventually, she turned the water off and got out, towelling herself dry before putting on one of the plush hotel bathrobes, and returning to the bedroom where she knew Draco was waiting.

He looked up as she entered, and Hermione was glad that the bathrobe was belted. If she had been holding up a towel it might have dropped. Draco was sitting by the fire, a book in his hands, immaculate in a very expensive looking tuxedo.

"Is…is it not OK?" A frown creased Draco's forehead as he looked from her expression of shock to his clothing.

Hermione had to remind herself to close her mouth. "It's Muggle." She flushed.

Draco's expression relaxed. "Well yes. I thought it only fitting to be appropriately attired."

"But–"

"I said before, Hermione," Draco interrupted seriously, "as a doting boyfriend, it would be remiss for me not to integrate myself with your culture." His brow furrowed again. "Particularly given my own history."

Hermione felt her blush deepen. "I…thank you." She managed a smile. "It means a lot, even out of the context of this…performance."

Draco nodded jerkily.

"The only thing is," Hermione cast a glance towards the wardrobe. "I didn't bring any Muggle dresses. Or at least nothing suitable as black or white tie."

"Oh. Well I wouldn't say you have to wear a Muggle dress. It might be nice, but certainly not necessary."

"Hm. OK." Hermione fiddled with the end of the belt.

Draco gave her a searching look, but continued. "I was wondering what approach we would take once we're downstairs. Had you any thoughts?"

"Oh! Um, no…not really." Hermione flushed, embarrassed at being caught out so unprepared, and all because of her own preoccupation. She would never have entered any field operation so distracted.

"Right." Draco pursed his lips, thinking. "Well, I think if we're too caricaturised from the off then it won't be believable – I'm sure most readers of Witch Weekly would believe that the earth is flat, but even so…" he trailed off, still thinking. "How do you feel if we just start relatively low-key – just like a couple that's already been together for a long time and is used to their own bubble?"

Hermione nodded, grateful to be provided with a plan that was at least not unappealing. "Yes, that sounds all right to me." She continued to fiddle with the belt.

Draco's eyes fell to her hands. "Hermione. Are you OK?"

"What? Oh." Hermione followed his pointed gaze to her fingers where they were picking at a loose thread, and dropped the belt immediately, flushing. "I, uh, I guess this isn't really my forte. I'm just a bit…nervous." She smiled awkwardly, blushing even more.

Draco's expression gentled. "It will be all right. Just follow my lead…and, uh, I apologise in advance for any liberties I'll have to take." He flushed a little himself, coughing.

Hermione smiled slightly at that. "Likewise."

Draco chuckled as the tension broke, and Hermione turned back to the bed where she had laid out her initial choice of dress robes. She leant over them, pulling at a fold here and there, tutting and chewing on her lower lip. Draco watched her closely. "You're not happy with it."

Hermione huffed crossly. "No." She folded her arms, turning on the spot so he could see the faint pout she had developed. "It's going to sound silly but I don't want to be underdressed. And…" she fingered the edge of her large sleeve, "I would like to be in a Muggle dress now. A nice one."

Draco gave her an appraising look. "I'll be back in a minute." He stood, crossing to the fire, and taking a pinch of floo powder from the large cut crystal dish on the mantle. "Don't go anywhere."

Hermione opened her mouth to protest, or at least ask where he was going, but Draco had already turned, thrown the powder into the flames, which burst with green, and vanished into them.

She barely had any time to debate what he was doing before the flames flared emerald once more, and Draco was stepping through back into the room, dusting ash from a bolt of cloth tucked under his arm.

"What are you doing?"

A very small smile curved Draco's lips. "Just wait and see." He stepped back towards her, and shook out the cloth, which revealed itself to be a coppery rose gold silk that shimmered in the light. With a deft flick of his wand, the unspooling roll was suspended in mid-air like a glimmering river, and with continued movements of his wand, he sliced, shaped, and stitched it together into a dress.

Hermione's mouth fell open. It was beautiful magic to watch, light, delicate, and wonderfully intricate. Nothing at all she would have thought to have seen come from the man before her. His face was given over to thought and concentration, absorbed by the task and oblivious to her observation. She couldn't help but think he looked more at peace and himself in such moments. It was an expression she was now quite used to seeing, for it always came out during moments of intense and intricate spellwork.

The dress that came into being was just as stunning as the magic that created it. The full skirt was nipped in at the waist, and comprised of what must have been a small fortune in silk. The front was a sculpted bodice of neat tucks and pleats, with one side off the shoulder, the other bare.

Draco looked appraisingly from his work to Hermione, his brow rumpled. "Here." He grasped the silken folds, taking the luxurious garment from the air, and passing it to Hermione. "Try it on for size."

Hermione took the dress, her eyes wide as saucers.

"What?"

"That was amazing."

Draco flushed, and a trace of self-consciousness flitted across his features. "Oh, uh, yeah…it's something I learnt from my mother." He rubbed the back of his head with sheepish nervousness.

Hermione smiled. The gesture was sweet. "I'll go try it on." She slipped back into the dressing room, shedding the bath robe and sliding the dress on. There was definitely a degree of magic in its construction. It seemed to flow over her skin like warm water, sculpting itself around her so that there was no need for buttons, hooks, or zips. It was like a glamorous second skin.

She let herself back into the bedroom, a little self-conscious herself now, and hoped vainly that in the low lighting Draco wouldn't notice the warmth of her cheeks. "Well? How do I look?"

Draco swallowed, very glad that she wasn't prone to taking advantage of their unique legilimency link. He had been coming to the realisation that Hermione was a beautiful woman, perhaps not necessarily conventionally attractive, but there was something about her. He had already long known that she was impressive, magically and intellectually gifted, but allowing that she was a handsome woman was a new thing. The freedom of being able to have the thought alone was another welcome experience, if surprising that it existed in his head.

The dress he had made clung to her exactly as it should, enhancing the delicate lines of her collarbones and neck, and sweeping out from her waist in a shimmering swirl of blushing gold.

"Um. Er," he cleared his throat. "You look very nice. It suits you."

Hermione mentally beat her brain into submission at the flush of pleasure his words caused. "Thank you," she murmured, turning her head to hide behind a veil of her hair. "You really did an amazing job." She cleared her throat, attempting a stab at professionalism. "You'll have to show me some time."

Draco nodded, suddenly awkward. "Erm, uh, yes, of course. I uh, I'll go down and get out of your hair…scope out who is there already. You take your time and join me when you're ready. I'll be at the bar."

Hermione nodded, smiling shyly.


So despite my focus is currently my novel, what with all the stuff going on in the world with COVID-19, I thought it would be nice to upload a chapter early. I usually prefer to sit on them for a bit, just to make sure I catch any continuity errors, and can thread back elements to make sure the story is as cohesive and well-written as possible, but I figure that we all need something we love at this time 3 I hope it can help a little, especially for anyone currently undergoing isolation of any sort.

This is really when we start to kick up into gear for the next arc of the story, and I am so excited that we're here at last! This was the chapter that I got stuck on for literal months because even though it was the beginning of some really cool and fun stuff, my brain just wasn't playing ball. But here we are! BRING ON THE FAKE ROMANCE!

My two favourite things in this chapter are:
1) CONSENT DRACO. He's so awkward I love it (anything to make Draco flustered and less than impassive). And I also just really love putting in discussions about consent in my work because it's important! I also 100% don't think Hermione would canonically have had this conversation with any other guy before - hence her also being confused and flustered and unprepared.
2) MAGIC DRESS. Honestly, I think I just really love creating new spells and lore tbh. But also pretty magic is 3 And I think there's just something particularly intimate and sweet about him literally making her something.

I'm also super glad that I was lucky enough to actually get to visit Switzerland at the end of last year. I love when real life gives me experience to help improve my writing. It's a truly stunning country and you just can't imagine the immense SIZE of the alps. Incredible.

Anyway! Let me know your thoughts! I hope you enjoy it and that it's helpful to you right now when things are difficult. Big hugs out to you all! 3

Please do review and/or favourite :) Tell me what you like or don't like :) Questions and speculations are always welcome :D As is incomprehensible flailing if that's what you go in for :)

If you want to get access to sneak previews to chapters before they're posted, you can like me on Facebook (JZJ Tomkins) or follow me on Twitter ( jtomkinsauthor) or Tumblr (jzj-tomkins):)