Well heellllooo! Ha ha, here is chapter ten and I just put up a Draco-Fleur fic. It isn't my best, but I would really appreciate it if you read that as well! Thanks so much guys!
And your reviews? They have really boosted my confidence and thank you to everyone for sending one it! (or two or three)
Here is the next chapter, it's going to be a bit shorter (I think) but I'm glad the interview is over so now I can begin to develop Hermione and Draco's relationship further.
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The day after the interview, Hermione was invited to Ginny's house for a girls-night. She was very excited and planned to have a great time. It had been such a long time since she had gotten together with Ginny and her other friends from school.
School. Hogwarts. It all seemed so long ago, the fun and the adventures. She had been Harry's friend from the beginning and experienced many pains throughout her early years at Hogwarts. But nothing had prepared her for the war; for the death and destruction that seemed to rule the world.
So many lives had been taken and so much blood had been shed; by both sides. It was something she would never forget, even if she tried.
"Are you alright?" Draco walked into her room, noticing immediately her melancholy expression.
"Yes I'm fine." She smiled, pushing the dark thoughts away. Contrary to her first impressions, she found Draco's company welcoming and his attention warmed her insides.
He stood, glancing over the owl Ginny had sent her. "Are you going?"
Hermione stood up, stretching "Yes, it should be good."
"When is it?" He asked, pulling her in for a hug. She leaned into his chest, sighing in appreciation.
"Tomorrow night." She whispered.
"I see." She could hear the smile in his words, a sensation that still felt strange to her. 'Malfoy is smiling?' she thought 'No, it's Draco.' Another voice told her firmly.
"Draco." She whispered without realising.
"Hmm?" He looked down at her.
"What?" She shook herself out of her day dreams. "I didn't say anything."
Draco just laughed and let go of her, she was nice to hold. She made him feel useful; that he could protect her or just be there to comfort her. He had taken a liking to this feeling and wanted to feel that way more often than he had of late.
"You know," Hermione began, staring out the window. "We should go out today."
"What's the occasion?" Draco followed her gaze, seeing nothing of great interest; he turned and sat at the foot of her bed.
"You." She smiled brightly at him.
"Me?"
"Yes, you got into the quiddich team." The thought had just occurred to her and she scolded herself for forgetting something so important.
"Oh, right." Draco shrugged, "If you want to."
"Draco! I thought you said this meant a lot to you!" She sat next to him, a frown beginning to form on her face.
"Oh it does." Draco smiled.
"But-"
"Malfoy's don't leap for joy." He replied smoothly.
Hermione gaped. 'Malfoy's don't leap for joy'? The thought tumbled in her mind.
"So Malfoy's are stuck up emotionless ghosts; is that right?" She smirked.
Draco began to think that his smirking was rubbing off on her and he tried to decide if that was a good thing or not. "I wouldn't say 'stuck up' and 'ghosts' is a bit harsh, don't you think?"
Hermione laughed, "But your hair! And you're always so white!"
"I am not!" Draco stood up indignantly and peeped into her mirror. He was a bit pale.
"Oh come now, you know I'm just joking; you're simply dashing." This caused her to laugh harder and Draco blushed a little, hoping she didn't notice.
"Well are we going or what?" He lifted an eyebrow.
"Yes, alright." Hermione stood, a smile still plastered to her face. "Let's go then." She grabbed her coat and they headed outside.
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Later, they found themselves strolling down a path at a near-by park. There weren't many people out and the roads were surprisingly quiet.
"So what happens now that you're on the team?" Hermione asked, linking her arm with his.
"They haven't owled me; which is strange. But I guess I will need to be away more; at practices." He shrugged.
Hermione thought about her own work, she had been absent because of this engagement, but when Draco went to play she had to find something to do. She was sure she would need to enforce many magical laws, but that was boring.
Phil was right, there just isn't as much need for aurors anymore, now that the war was over.
"I need to find a job." She mumbled.
"Why?" Draco brushed his hand along a bush, plucking a flower. He held it and stared, the movement had been so sub-conscious. What was he supposed to do now? He continued to stare at the flower in his hand until Hermione poked his shoulder, jerking his attention back to her.
"You haven't heard a word I've said have you?" She frowned up at him "What is that in your hand?" She leaned over.
Draco panicked 'what do I do now?' He thrust his hand behind his back "Nothing."
"What? What is it?" She continued to pester while Draco thought about how you were supposed to give a flower to a girl.
'But you're supposed to buy them, not pick them off a bush in the park.' A voice told him.
Hermione took advantage of his distracted state and swiftly reached behind him for his hand. She paused when she saw the flower in his hand.
He could feel the heat on his cheeks, and it intensified when she turned to look up at him, puzzlement in her eyes.
"I uh… It… well….this is for you." He blurted, handing the flower to her.
He had never felt like more of an idiot in his life.
She took the flower gently, she gazed at it for a moment, then smiled.
"Thank you Draco, that's very sweet." She hugged him and leaned in to peck him on the cheek. The already burning cheek flamed up.
"You're welcome." Draco shifted awkwardly.
Hermione felt like laughing, his discomfort was so comical, but she knew better and hid her laughter. She knew this was something big, and it was a very pretty flower with dew still on the petals.
They continued walking in silence. The air between them slowly returned to normal and Draco relaxed.
When they left the gates of the park had saw a florists shop where there were large bouquets of flowers for sale. He looked at them, wondering if he should buy one for Hermione.
She followed his gaze and saw the bouquets of roses outside the shop "It's okay Draco, I like this one." She still held the flower he picked.
He smiled at her, feeling all warm inside despite the slight chill in the air. They took each other's hands and headed for a near-by café, feeling happy that something was going not just right, but perfectly.
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Draco and Hermione had been wandering the shops of London for most of the morning, not buying anything but simply enjoying the chance to be with each other. It was a new emotion that both of them found they liked very much.
Just as they exited another store, a drop of rain fell on Hermione's head. She looked up at the grey clouds over-head. "It's going to rain."
Draco glanced up, his calm expression seemed forever fixed on his face. Only moments like those in the park made her remember he was capable of feeling awkward.
"We should get back then." He murmured, taking her arm and hailing a cab.
While sitting in the cab they said nothing, the taxi was watching them just like the receptionist at the radio studio. Hermione thought that she should remind him to look at the road, but when she leaned forward a bit Draco placed a hand on her arm and shook his head ever so slightly.
She sat back, looking out the window until they reached their block. Draco handed the man his money and got out after Hermione.
"What do we do now?" She asked ascending the stairs.
Draco smiled slightly "I don't know."
Hermione sighed as they reached a lift and made their silent way up the building. Once they were inside, she automatically waved her wand, causing cups and coffee to brew.
"Who said we were staying?" Draco smirked.
Hermione looked up, confused by his sudden change in demeanour. "I thought…" She trailed off, frowning.
Draco chuckled "Get changed, we're going somewhere fancy for lunch." Was all he said before striding into the bathroom.
Hermione waved her wand again, the cups returned to their places and she went to her room to find something suitable to wear.
When Draco emerged from the bathroom, steaming, she slipped past him without a word and shut the door.
Draco smirked, she was a tricky one. He knew just the place to go, a fancy Italian restaurant near the manor. He and his family had gone there once or twice, and although he never enjoyed his previous experiences there, he knew Hermione would like it.
Outside, it began to rain.
He put on a black shirt and slacks, plucking a grey coat from the hook and went to the lounge. There he sat, looking at the coat which was his only thing he gained from Hermione's shopping spree a week ago.
She had insisted that he get it, it was 'Armani' she had said, some muggle brand that was supposed to be very good. He had to admit, it was rather nice and felt good.
"Where are we going?" Hermione called out from her room.
He got up and went to her. "Somewhere special."
"Why so ambiguous?" Hermione smiled, she was combing her hair that frizzed up at the back.
Draco watched with humour as she tried desperately to tame it, finally she sighed and grabbed her wand, muttering a quick spell which instantly turned her ginger curls into soft waves cascading down her back.
"It's a surprise." Draco continued.
Hermione turned, took her own long beige coat and waited for him to show her the way. He took her arm and gave her a reassuring smile before apparating to their destination.
They arrived just outside the doors, two uniformed men gestured with wide smiles for them to enter.
"Mr Malfoy, Miss Granger." They murmured. Draco nodded in reply and led Hermione inside.
"Oh it's beautiful." She whispered when they entered the enchanted restaurant. It was an beautiful garden that rivalled those in Malfoy Manor and the tables were draped in crème silk table cloths. Cutlery was laid out against immaculate porcelain plates.
"It is rather nice isn't it?" Draco felt like a new man; he was happy because Hermione was happy.
She looked very sweet in her knee-length, forest green dress. Taking her arm, they were led to a table by the window.
"Can you take away the enchantments please?" Hermione asked. The waitress looked at her with a puzzled expression, but noticing Mr Malfoy's presence she nodded politely and went to get one of the managers.
The enchantment was lifted in their corner and Hermione smiled at the view. It was grey and raining. The clouds foamed above as she looked out.
"Don't you like this place?" Draco asked.
"No, I just like the feeling of being all safe and warm while it rains outside." Hermione replied slightly embarrassed.
Draco chuckled and looked to his menu. This was going to be wonderful.
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With the meal effectively out of the way, Draco poured Hermione a glass of wine and sat back, satisfied with how things were going so far.
"So tell me, why do you like quiddich so much?" Hermione asked taking a small sip.
Draco thought about his answer carefully "I guess it's because I like to feel free. It's an amazing feeling to be soaring through the air, if only you could experience it." He added, smirking.
Hermione blushed slightly at the memory and decided she didn't like where this was going. "Do you ever think about going back to Hogwarts?"
"I ah…" Draco frowned, "I have, but I don't think it will ever be possible."
Hermione raised an eyebrow in question "Why not?"
"Hermione, have you forgotten?" He asked, astounded. He personally didn't want to cross this memory.
"No." She admitted, how could she possibly forget? "But it's all over now."
"I can never set foot in those halls again." He explained sadly. Those memories locked in the walls of Hogwarts may have not been the best, but they were his childhood. He had been happiest there.
"I guess you're right." She smiled sympathetically.
Instantly Draco recoiled "I don't need your pity." He snapped.
Hermione's eyes widened in shock, but she didn't retort.
The silence was deafening. The atmosphere had been effectively ruined, both of them felt the tension and discomfort.
Draco knew he shouldn't have snapped at her, she was being kind. But he could not bring himself to apologise. How many times had he been given the same look? People like his father, always wanting to win his trust and then turning him into a fool. Too many bad times were associated with that expression.
"We should go now." He said, standing up abruptly. Hermione couldn't agree more.
She hadn't meant to make him feel bad, she knew he wanted to return to Hogwarts and he couldn't; was it so bad that she felt his sorrow?
Draco paid the bill before they both apparated back to Hermione's apartment. Or so she thought. When she looked around, she found that Draco had not come back with her. She guessed he had returned to the Manor.
This time, she was glad he was gone, she didn't need to face him now.
'Malfoy's don't leap for joy.' She remembered him saying 'Do they cry in woe?'
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Oh how do you like this? Like I said before, I think I'm favouring Draco so I decided to take a better look into his OOC-ness in my fic. (Doesn't make much sense does it?)
Please let me know how you think things are going so far, and if you have anything you want me to include or suggestions, don't hesitate to put them forward!
Thanks a million for reading!
