M&M's: Malfoy's and Mudbloods
Chapter Ten: Andrew Felton
Thoughts
Two Years Later
"The top five students to cater the Felton Architectural Firms Charity dinner are as follows," the entire class halted their actions and faced their professor, Madame Angelou. "Su-chefs, Ryo Takamori, Andres Remy, Kaitlin Jensen, and Mercedes Alba." Hermione's face fell, su-chefs were always second year students, and apparently she hadn't been good enough. "And finally the head chef, Hermione Granger." The class of 30 turned to face her, honey colored eyes wide with surprise. "Congratulations Hermione, you've earned it." Her professor smiled.
"Merci beaucoup Mdm. Angelou! I won't let you down!"
As soon as Hermione returned home she picked up her WizMobile and called Ginny. "Gin? Can you gather the gang? I have some news I want to share with you all."
The redhead smiled, "Of course Hermione when are you coming through?"
An instant later Hermione emerged in the Zabini living room; after greeting Gin and telling her to round of the gang to meet at Bella Pietra's, she headed to her own apartment to grab a few things.
She had just left her apartment, when bumped into a figure, instinctively arms wrapped around her waist, preventing her from falling.
"Whoa there, are you okay?" An all too familiar voice questioned, ocean blue met golden brown, "Hermione?"
She produced a smile as she stepped out of his embrace, missing the feel of his arms around her.
"Hey there Draco,"
"When did you get back?"
"About two minutes ago. I floo'd back for the weekend."
"Haven't seen or heard from you in a while."
"I know, I've been busy." She checked her watch, "In fact, I'm running late, I'll see you around." She started to leave, but Draco stopped her.
"Please Hermione, can I see you tonight? For dinner?" he paused as she hesitated, "The Starlight Tower at 8 o'clock?" his eyes pleaded with her to say yes.
Hermione couldn't bring herself to say no, so she slowly nodded, "Alright."
Draco's face lit up, "Great!" he kissed her hand, "I'll see you tonight."
Hermione sighed, shaking her head as he walked away with an extra bounce in his step. She continued on her walk to Bella's.
Once she got to the familiar hangout she was swamp in a series of bone crushing hugs. Hermione laughed, tears of happiness gathering in her eyes, "I missed you guys too, and I came back this weekend cause I have some awesome news!" Hermione proceeded to tell them about the position she had been offered catering the Felton firms charity ball.
"Hermione that's wonderful!" Ron exclaimed, the others nodded in agreement.
"Hermione you need to come home more often!" Harry finally exclaimed, "You've come home what three times in the past two years?"
"I know and I'm sorry, it's just hard for me to come back," she stared out the window, "It hurts to come back." She whispered.
"Aw, Hermione, stop thinking about Draco, we've got you for the weekend, and we plan on having one hell of a sleepover. Just us girls to catch up on everything!" Ginny exclaimed happily. "Oh you boys can have her on Sunday!" she told her brother and Harry as they were about to complain that they wanted to see Hermione too.
Hermione smiled, "Thanks you guys, but I can't make it tonight." The four girls turned to stare at her curiously. "While I was on my way over, I ran into Draco, and he asked me out, and I couldn't find it in me to say no. And I know that you guys are going to say that I'm stupid for agreeing, but I need to do this, I need closure, I need to know that I'm over him."
The girls all looked at her supportively, "Well if that's what you think you need to do, we understand." Ginny hugged her gently.
"Thanks Gin."
"But there are some things that you should know about Draco…" Ron's voice trailed off.
"What things?"
"He's sorta back with Cho."
Hermione smoothed down her white gown, her jade bracelets jingling harmoniously on her slender wrist. She approached the reservation desk, "Excuse me, I'm meeting someone here."
The host smiled at her, "The name Madame?" he asked with a French accent.
"His name is Mr. Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."
"Mr. Malfoy? Right this way." He led her to the table where Draco was already sitting, looking devastatingly handsome in his charcoal Armani suit bringing out cerulean flecks in his already intoxicating eyes.
"Hermione you look amazing." He stood up kissing her cheek tenderly.
"Ah, young love" the host sighed romantically, "Madame Malfoy you and your husband are a beautiful couple."
"We're not married, we're simply friends" She replied as she blushed softly.
"Ah, my mistake. Your server tonight is Michael, he'll be with you in a moment, have a wonderful evening." He bowed winked at Hermione and left.
"So how have you been?" Draco questioned as he poured Hermione a glass of champagne.
"I've been good," Hermione replied taking a sip of her bubbly alcoholic beverage.
"So what brings you back to England after two long years?"
Hermione smiled, "I came to tell the gang that I just got the most amazing opportunity. My professor selected me to be the Head Chef for the Felton Architectural Firms annual charity ball. This honor's never gone to a second year student before." Hermione beamed, "I'm so excited, yet unbelievably nervous… what if I mess up? What if he doesn't like what I make?"
Draco smiled at her taking her hand in his, "Hermione, you're the best cook I've ever had the pleasure of encountering, I'm sure whatever you make will impress everyone at the ball."
Hermione had to fight the blush that was traveling to her cheeks, as well as the warmth that was spreading through her body from Draco's touch. She slowly pulled her hand away, "So, how have you been?" she questioned; avoiding the intense look he was giving her.
"It's been lonely without you, the group just isn't the same now that you're gone," he paused, "I'm not the same without you." At this Hermione's attention snapped back to him, "Hermione, I'm an idiot who didn't know what I had when you were with me." He took her hand once more, "Please forgive me, let me back into your life, please." His eyes began to water, as he pleaded with her for another chance.
Hermione stared at his heart broken expression and knew that she too had been miserable being away from him, but the girls had kept her informed of Draco's actions while she had been gone, who he had been dating and what he had been doing. She knew that he was back with Cho, and she didn't want to end up with a broken heart as she had two years ago. "I don't know Draco, you really hurt me, I know you don't mean to intentionally hurt me," she silenced him when he tried to speak, "But you've already unintentionally inflicted pain on me, and that, I'm not going to lie to you, ripped my heart out. I'm just barely putting my heart back together; do you know I've been on one date since you and I were together? And it's not just because I'm busy or far away, it's taken me this long to get over you. You have no idea how hard it was for me to move on."
Draco's face softened, as his heart broke, 'over you' the words echoed in his head, "Hermione I'm so sorry."
"I know you are, Draco." She pulled her hand away once more, "But I don't think I could survive that kind of pain again."
That's when it hit him, how much he really hurt her, "Why didn't you say anything when I called you that day?"
"Because, I wanted you to stay cause you wanted to be with me, not because you didn't want to hurt me. Only weak women bribe their boyfriends to stay with tears."
"I would have stayed if I had known how you felt, I was confused as to how I felt about you. If you had given me any sort of hint that you felt strongly about me I would have stayed."
He watched as heramber eyes narrowed, "So now it's my fault that you left? My fault you couldn't figure out who you loved? Why can't you take responsibility for your own actions Draco? Why can't you just admit that you didn't love me?"
"Because I did love you." He blurted out before he could stop himself.
"What?"
Draco took a deep breath, knowing that he couldn't take back the words he had just spoken, "I did love you, I just didn't realize it till after I had lost you. Then I found out you were leaving, and we got into that huge fight."
"But at my going away party, you didn't even come in, you wouldn't even look at me, and you didn't even show up at the airport to say goodbye."
"I know, and those are actions I've regretted for the past two years."
"If you really felt that way, why didn't you come after me?"
"I didn't know you wanted me too."
She laughed softly yet somewhat bitterly, "What woman doesn't want the man she loves to come after her?"
Draco moved around the table and sat next to her, "Please Hermione, give me another chance, I know I don't deserve it, and I know I hurt you, but please let me spend the rest of my life making it up to you."
Hermione couldn't say no to him and she cursed herself for her weakness. She smiled, and caressed his cheek, "Come on, let's get out of here."
Hermione and Draco fell to the bed, lost in lust and the need for one another. Why did I deny him for so long? Hermione questioned herself as he trailed kisses down her neck. His fingers entwining with hers, pinning her arms above her head.
Draco felt her shiver as she moaned in ecstasy making him even harder. He smiled to himself, pleased that he could still satisfy her. "I've missed you so much Bookworm, I was a fool to let you go."
Hermione rolled over, so she was on top and she could feel him harden, knowing it would drive him crazy, she began to grind her hips against his. He looked at her, passion ablaze in her eyes, she wanted him and wanted him bad.
His hands began to unzip her dress as their lips met, tongues battling for dominance, he felt her pull away and was momentarily confused until her heard the phone ringing. He had a nagging feeling that he should answer it, but couldn't tear himself away from the goddess in his arms.
He moved his mouth to her ear, sucking the earlobe, "Let the machine get it." His sultry voice tinged with desire and lust. Hermione smiled kissing him again, the phone call momentarily forgotten.
The answering machine clicked on, and as soon as Draco head the voice on the line, he knew he should have answered the phone, "Hey Draco baby, are you still coming over for our nightly examinations of one another? You're a little late, and I'm beginning to feel lonely." A sexy female voice pouted on the line, "Come over soon lover, I'll be waiting."
Immediately Draco didn't feel the luxurious weight of Hermione on him, she was standing up, zipping up her dress, and putting on her shoes. She began to walk out the door, but Draco grabbed her hand, she turned to glare at him "Yea, you've missed me alright, so much that you turned to Cho for comfort." She sneered retching her arm away from him. "Don't come after me Draco Malfoy, stay out of my life."
"Hermione wait!" he rushed out after her.
She stopped at the front door, "Not for you, not anymore." She whispered before leaving him alone.
About three seconds later, Draco rushed out after her, his eyes locked with her teary brown ones as the elevator doors closed.
Pulling out her wand she whispered softly, apparating herself back to America.
Draco jumped down the 40 flights of stairs, landing skillfully as only he could (got to love cushioning charms), he waited as the elevator doors opened, only to find the space empty. He ran out into the streets where it had begun to rain. Why are you such an idiot Draco? He thought to himself as he hung his head and went back inside.
When he got back he fell back into his bed, inhaling deeply he could still smell Hermione all around. The pain in his heart was like nothing he had ever felt before, she wanted nothing more to do with him, and it was all his fault.
Hermione crumpled to the floor of her Los Angeles loft crying as if she had just lost her world, and in a sense she had. Draco was her heart and soul, and living without him killed her.
She was shaken out of her sobs when the doorbell rang, "Who is it?" she shakily called out.
"Hermione it's us," Kaitlin's voice filtered in through the door, "We're supposed to go over the menu today remember?"
"Of course, just give me a second." Hermione stood up and quickly changed out of her gown and wiped away any evidence she had been crying. She headed to the front door and let her four su-chefs in, "Alright guys, lets get started on this party!"
Andrew Felton smiled at the group of employees and other important business people who had shown up to his company's annual charity function. This year's event was the best to date, and it was due mostly to the food, which was exquisite. He had gotten several rave reviews, most wondering which major chef had catered the event. Even he was shocked when his personal assistant announced that culinary students had catered the entire party, and that the head chef was even younger than he. When the dessert was served he knew he just had to meet the chef.
Hermione looked out to the ballroom from the window on the kitchen door. She smiled as she watched couples dance twirling joyfully across the dance floor. Something tugged painfully at her heart as she remembered the way she and Draco would dance.
Then out of the corner of her eye she noticed platinum blonde hair and ice-blue eyes, when those eyes fell on her, she gasped and ducked, retreating quickly to the back of the kitchen. She prayed that she had gone unnoticed, but her prayers weren't answered as she sensed him behind her.
"Excuse me Miss, but I just needed to thank and compliment the chef on such a wonderful meal."
Hermione turned around realizing that the voice did not belong to Draco. Her breath stalled in her throat, standing before her was a man that could have been Draco Malfoy's older brother.
He smiled warmly at her, "The dessert was amazing, it's been a while since I've had a anything that delectible, it was a variation on cherries jubilee was it not?"
After shaking out of her stupor, she smiled and nodded, "Thank you, I figured since it was a London based company, I should bring a little taste of home to the mix. That and I was lucky enough that Mr. Felton gave me full control over what was to be served."
Andrew smiled as her eyes lit up at the mention of cooking, she had a real joy for the art and it was obvious that she was great at it. "So you're originally from England?"
She nodded, "Yes, born and raised, I just came here to go to ICI, the International Culinary Institute." She looked him over more closely. Although he did look heartbreakingly like Draco, he was a bit taller, his haira bit darkerand his eyes a paler blue. When she realized he had caught her staring she blushed which Andrew found oh-so-cute. "I'm sorry, you just look eerily like a friend I have back home… So are you an architect for the Felton firm?" she quickly changed the subject.
"Yea," he smiled, amused yet relieved she didn't know who he was, "You could say that."
"I really should find Mr. Felton and thank him for giving me this opportunity, and for the freedom to prepare what I wished. Do you know where he is? Or where I can find him?"
"He's actually hiding from the crowd, trying to gather the courage to ask the beautiful woman in front of him not only for her name but also out to dinner." He replied a slight blush forming on his cheeks.
Her eyes grew wide, "Wow, you know all that?"
He couldn't help but laugh at her naïveté, before he had a chance to respond, his personal assistant came in, "Mr. Felton, it's time to thank the guest for coming."
Andrew nodded, "Thanks Tom, I'll be right out." Tom bowed before leaving, Andrew turned to face Hermione who was putting everything together, and blushing profusely. "So," he smiled, "Do I get a name?"
Hermione felt her cheeks flush, this whole time she had been talking to Andrew Felton himself! He was a lot younger and a lot hotter than she had anticipated "Hermione Granger." She finally managed to stutter.
His smile grew, "Hermione Granger," he liked the way her name rolled off his tongue, "So may I take you out sometime?"
"Hermione!" Kaitlin called out rushing up to her, "One of the waiters dropped a tray of desserts, and now we're 30 short, we need your help making more!" Hermione looked at Andrew apologetically as Kaitlin dragged her away, yet inside she sighed a sigh of relief. She didn't think she was quite ready to date again, and much less Draco's dopple-ganger.
She looked back to see Andrew being shooed out by Tom to thanks the guest. Kaitlin finally stopped pulling on her once they reached the center of the kitchen, "I'm sorry to pull you away from such a hottie, but we really need help."
"Actually I should be thanking you, he asked me out and I didn't know how to turn him down."
"Why would you turn down a hottie like Andrew Felton! He's one of the worlds most eligible bachelors!"
Hermione smiled at the shocked expression on the American's face, "Because," she pulled a locket from under her uniform and opened it up, "He looks too much like my old boyfriend." She showed Kaitlin the picture of her and Draco together.
"Geez Hermione! You just have gorgeous men falling all over you! I need to figure out your secret… and go to England," she paused, "Are all English men this hot?"
Hermione giggled, "Oh yea," she turned to the table and the rest of her friends, "Come on guys, we've got 30 more jubilee's to make!"
Ok, I have no clue if cherrie's jubilee is a real desert, or if they are real where they're from... just go with me on this one :)
Happy Belated Fourth of July! I had a plast in NorCal, it's always entertaining when a good friend turns 21... :) Thank you guys for reviewing! I got the most reviews on the last chapter!
Thank You's:
Riley Black: LOL! I used to read fanfics when I was bored at work too! I'm glad I'm not the only one! Thanks for the review, I hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Watch out for Yellow Moon: I think you've figured out who the OC in the story is modeled after ;) He's so purdy, don't you think?
Aria DeLoncray: I'm glad that you're undecided about how to feel for Draco, it's whatI was going for :)
WannaBArtist: Cheese... cheese is good, especially if it's cheddar :) Hope you enjoyed the chapter!
M0v1aNg3l: I live in SoCal too, and I will agree there are a lot of hot men here, however, I have yet to find a region with more gorgeous men than the those that occupy the beaches of Hawaii... talk about hotties! Thanks for the review!
LosingTrack: Thanks for the review! I love hearing from new people!Sorry it took so long for me to post!
Eliza: Well my roomies survived the trip, they actually did a good job of not irritating me... Hopefully I'll have the next chapter up in a few hours!
xOonethousandtearsshedxO: Thanks for the kind words! It makes my day to recieve reviews like that!
Alexandra90: Hope you enjoyed this chapter as well! Thanks for the continued support!
Mysticpammy: Sorry the chapter took so long! Hope you enjoyed it though!
Sexy-Slytherin-Bad-Ass: Yea, I know Cali was a bit far, but I wanted a drastic change, something completely different and a bit out of character :) Hope you like it!
Atlanta: I swear you must have hacked into my computer while I was away! There will be a conflict, but you'll have to wait and see how it all unravels...
Nalye: Wow, I moved a reader to tears... :) It's so fulfilling to hear that I've been able to impact a reader that way! I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well!
Jenneens: I'm glad that you reviewed this chapter! I love hearing from new people, getting input from reviewers can only help me improve! There are several other authors out there who are amazingly gifted, people I aspire to write like... people such as jmalfoy, siriusly draco's, kyra4... just to name a few... I have all my favs listed in on my main author page :)
Thank you guys for putting up with the wait, I hope you all enjoyed your independance day! I'm going to try real hard to post the next chapter before I leave for home at 6pm tonight, but if perchance I can't then I'll try my hardest to update this weekend... but I don't have internet at home and have a wedding to perform at! Love you all for the continued support!
One Love,
NelStar
July 5, 2006
