Chapter Thirteen

First Date

Her heart was racing as they appeared in the Leaky Cauldron. Draco squeezed her hand and led her to the backyard, where the entrance to Diagon Alley was.

"Where are we going?" Hermione asked as the brick wall opened up before them, clearing her throat when her voice trembled.

"To a place I think you'll like," he replied, glancing sideways at her.

They walked through the archway and into the alley, which was crowded as it was Friday afternoon.

"And will they have a table for us?"

"I've made a reservation."

Hermione frowned in confusion.

"How? You can't leave the house."

"Using Potter's owl."

She nodded, chewing on her lower lip nervously. She stopped when his grey eyes dropped to her lips and saw him smile slyly.

"I-I spoke to Kingsley today," she said, wrinkling her nose as she stammered. "The Ministry is already aware that you're going to be spending a few days with us and there's no problem. I've also looked at the files and there's nothing about what happened yesterday. No one saw you."

"Good," he muttered, looking straight ahead again.

Several people stared open-mouthed at them, pausing to watch them pass. Hermione frowned as she saw that they weren't even trying to be subtle anymore.

"Ignore them, Granger," Draco whispered, intertwining their fingers.

She blushed as she remembered the first time he'd done that when his three Slytherin friends had shown up at his manor and he was really pissed off.

"Doesn't that bother you?" she asked, glancing over her shoulder to check if those two couples were still there.

Draco shrugged.

"Whether it bothers me or not, they're going to keep doing it. You're a war hero, I'm a Death Eater and they want me dead, so it is inevitable."

"You're not a Death Eater. Don't say that," she murmured, squeezing his hand.

"I will always be one to them."

"Not to me."

Draco paused by a door, scanning her face with his gaze.

He really only cared about his mother's opinion and hers lately. Knowing that Granger now saw him differently made him feel that warmth that always spread through his chest when she was kind or affectionate.

"We've arrived."

Hermione looked up, gasping as she saw the inside of the building. It was in the deepest part of the alley, the place where the most expensive shops and the most prestigious restaurants were.

She read the French name on the sign, feeling slightly uncomfortable. It looked like a place where only pureblood wizards went.

Draco cleared his throat, opening the door for her.

"Relax, Granger."

Hermione stepped over the threshold, looking around the small entrance room. There was a woman behind a counter who smiled at the sight of Draco.

"Mr Malfoy! It's been a long time since you've been here."

He shifted his body weight from one foot to the other, his jaw set.

"I've been busy."

The woman hesitated, averting her gaze to Hermione and furrowing her brow slightly. Draco tensed immediately, taking a step towards her and placing an arm around her waist.

"I see... Your table is ready and your waiter will be with you shortly."

He nodded, leading Hermione to a large wooden staircase. The two climbed up in silence and she felt her breath catch as she took in the sight that awaited them.

It was a small room, its walls decorated with mirrors and pictures depicting ancient scenes. The only source of light was three chandeliers and a candle on the table in the centre, with two chairs that looked quite comfortable.

"It's a private room, I thought we'd be more comfortable here. No one will be able to hear our conversation," Draco whispered close to her ear, gently pushing her towards one of the chairs and pulling it aside for her.

Hermione sat down, feeling her cheeks burn. As soon as he did the same a man in black appeared, asking what they would like to drink.

Draco stared at her for a moment and ordered a bottle of a white wine whose name she had never heard of in her life. As soon as they were alone again, he leaned across the table and glanced at her.

"You're so tense, try to relax. We've done this many times."

She shook her head, sighing.

"It's not the same."

"It is. The only difference is that now you know I'm interested in you as more than just a friend."

Hermione exhaled slowly, watching the waiter as he set the bottle down on the table. He waved his wand and it opened on its own, pouring some of its contents into the two glasses.

"Since when do you see me differently, Draco?"

He leaned back in his chair and averted his gaze.

Would it scare her if he was completely honest?

"Since the day of my second trial."

Her eyes went wide and he heard a gasp.

"Are you serious?"

"That day you were so..." Draco added, shaking his head. "You fought for me even though I never treated you well in the past and I didn't deserve it. After that, I never thought of you the same way again."

Hermione nodded, taking a sip of wine to taste. Draco smiled as he watched her stare at the glass in wonder and take another sip.

"Do you like it?"

"I thought I'd never taste a wine better than the one my parents bought in France but I was wrong," she commented, playing with her fork. "How did you know I'd like it?"

Draco shrugged.

"Because it's my favourite."

She glanced at him again, feeling her heart pound.

"We have a lot of tastes in common, Draco. Do you think that means something?"

He sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"I don't want to lie to you, Granger. I'll tell you one day."

Hermione narrowed her eyes but didn't insist and looked down at the menu again. Her glass almost fell out of her hand once she saw the prices.

"This place is a bit expensive," she commented in a whisper, mentally counting the galleons in her handbag.

"The Malfoys are paying today."

She put the menu down on the table, frowning.

"I don't think that's fair."

Draco raised his eyebrows.

"This date was my idea so I'm paying. When it's yours, you pay," he said, pointing a finger at himself.

She couldn't help smiling.

"Okay, sounds like a good deal. We could go to my favourite Muggle restaurant on Monday."

He cocked his head.

"Our first date isn't over yet and you're already asking me out on another one?"

She blushed and averted her gaze. His hand caught the one she had on the table, squeezing it.

"I'm joking, Granger. I want many more dates with you."

"Many more?" Hermione repeated, swallowing.

He smirked.

"A hundred is a good number to start with."

She smiled back at him, shaking her head and chuckling. After ordering their food, he leaned both elbows on the table and bowed his head.

"What's so funny?" Draco asked, lifting an eyebrow.

"I still can't believe this is real," she mumbled, pointing her hand at the two of them. "Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy trusting each other."

He laughed too, holding his wine glass in his hands.

"It's weird, yes. But it makes sense if you think about it."

Hermione swept her gaze over his face, lingering on his grey eyes and the small smile on his lips. She'd never seen him smile so much.

"That's true, actually. I wish things had been different at Hogwarts."

"Everything happens for a reason, Granger. Maybe we wouldn't be here now if we'd been getting along as kids."

Hermione smiled again, looking down at the table. Draco still hadn't let go of her hand.

"You said my name."

He blinked several times in confusion.

"What?"

"Last night, when you saved me. You called me Hermione."

Draco frowned.

"I don't remember that."

"You were very angry so I suppose it's normal."

"I'd rather not talk about it, Granger," he muttered, clenching his fists.

"All right, let's talk about something else."

Two plates full of food levitated up to them, landing on the table. Hermione smiled at how good they looked.

"This is a place where pureblood families come, isn't it?" she asked, glancing sideways at him as she picked up her fork.

He clicked his tongue.

"Yes, and it's time to change that."

She frowned at how serious he was.

"What's on your mind, Draco?"

"On the day of my trial you said you had a lot of questions and some conditions before you considered being my mate," he commented in a whisper, staring at her.

Hermione sighed as she detected that coldness in his gaze that indicated he was occluding.

"Things have changed a lot since that day. I don't have any conditions anymore, you've shown me that I can trust you."

His face softened a little.

"What about the questions?"

Hermione sighed again.

"I have a lot of them, but I know you're not going to answer them all."

"So... Is that a real option?" he asked, glancing down at the plate he hadn't touched yet.

"Being your mate?" Hermione said, pursing her lips as he nodded. "Yes, Draco. I'd like to get to know you a bit more first, see if we're compatible...and then I'll accept."

Their gazes reconnected and Hermione held her breath at the intensity of his eyes.

"You know that's something for life, don't you, Granger? Once you accept, there's no going back."

She nodded and Draco straightened up, twisting his neck to the side until his bones creaked.

"Why are you so tense?" she asked in a whisper, watching him with concern.

He looked away.

"I'm just trying to control myself."

"Do you think you're going to hurt me?" she frowned at the whiteness of his knuckles from clenching them really hard.

His eyes locked on hers.

"On the contrary, Granger. Nothing that's going through my head right now would hurt you."

Hermione opened her eyes wide, trying to think of a response.

"My Veela blood has made me much more impulsive than I used to be, so I have to contain myself. I don't want to scare you," he added, letting out a long sigh before reaching for his cutlery.

She blinked several times, refocusing on her food.

"Will you ever stop using Occlumency?"

"Yes, but not today. Not until I learn to restrain myself."

Hermione tugged at her bottom lip with her teeth. The conversation had become too intense.

"And what do you think of me, Draco?"

He wiped his lips with his napkin, leaving it on the table.

"You already know."

"No, I don't."

Draco rolled his eyes, grunting.

"I don't need any more time to think. I know what I want."

"And what do you want?"

He clenched his jaw, twirling the ring on his left hand. Being honest with her was harder than he expected.

"You, Granger."

Her cheeks instantly flushed red.

"You're being very direct today," she commented quietly, raising a hand to her neck and tangling a finger in her pendant.

"You are the one who wanted me to be honest."

"Yes, but I didn't expect you to be so..."

Draco gave her a smirk.

"The Malfoys always know what they want and I'm no different," he added, interlocking the fingers of his hands on the table.

Hermione tried to slow her breathing as the waiter appeared with dessert.

"Breathe, Granger. We'll take it easy, we have time. We'll keep getting to know each other until you make a decision."

She shook her head.

"I don't want you to be in danger again, Draco. How long do I have to accept the bond?"

Draco thought about it for a couple of seconds as he savoured the chocolate cake.

"Now that you've agreed to go out with me and I spend a lot of time around you... I'd say a few months."

"What if it doesn't work out? What if we're not happy together?" she asked, feeling a lump in her throat.

He shrugged.

"I don't want you to be with me out of obligation, Granger. I want it to be your decision so don't worry about it."

"And I don't want you to die."

"I won't die. I have a feeling this is going to work out," he said with a smile.

Hermione smiled too, unable to help herself.

"I feel the same way, but I'm scared. I've never... I've never been in a relationship," she confessed quietly, looking around nervously.

Draco got to his feet, walking over to her chair and offering her a hand. She was surprised to see that they had already finished the dessert.

"I don't care, Granger. All I want is for you to give me a chance."

She accepted it, standing up.

"I'm giving it to you, Draco," she replied, blushing again.

He smiled as he listened to her heartbeat. She was too nervous.

Draco took a step closer and wrapped his arms around her. He felt her relax as she rested her head on his chest.

"Take a deep breath. I won't eat you, I promise. Veelas don't eat humans, no matter how much they like the smell of them," he murmured, tangling the fingers of his hand in her straight hair.

Draco also relaxed when he heard her laughing. He shouldn't have told her how hard it was for him to control his urges but he didn't want to keep lying.

Being alone with her was too tempting. Ever since they sat at the table, his Veela blood had been begging for him to throw himself on her and kiss her. And when Granger had admitted that she was thinking of being his mate he had been on the verge of doing so.

If he didn't know how to use Occlumency...

Draco shook his head, burying his nose in her hair and enjoying her scent. He had to go slowly, win her over as she deserved. He couldn't let his instincts get the better of him.

He pulled back a little and after wrapping an arm around her waist they went back downstairs.

"Put this on the family tab," he said as he looked back at the woman in the doorway.

She nodded and the two of them left the restaurant. Hermione closed her coat as she felt the chill of London on her skin and Draco clasped one of her hands again.

The air was clearing his mind and he twisted his lips as he thought about what he had said to her.

"Granger, I'm... I'm sorry I scared you," he murmured, glancing sideways at her.

She shook her head.

"Don't be sorry. I want to know everything that's going on in your head."

They entered the Leaky Cauldron fireplace together and Hermione sighed as they appeared in Grimmauld Place.

The house was dark. Harry was probably asleep.

"I'd like to know what would happen if you stopped occluding."

Draco squeezed her hand, shaking his head as they climbed the stairs.

"It's dangerous, Granger. You've seen enough for today."

"You always say that but I know you would never do anything to upset me or make me uncomfortable. That day you stopped when you saw I was afraid."

He snorted, pausing at the door to his room.

"You turned completely pale and that scared me too."

"I didn't expect you to suddenly hug me and apologise like that."

Draco folded his arms, staring down at her.

"That's why I won't let my guard down again while I'm with you. Who knows what might happen now."

Hermione swallowed, absently fiddling with one of the buttons on her coat.

"I want to know."

Draco closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.

"No, Granger."

She sighed, raising a hand to cup his cheek.

"Okay. Goodnight, Draco."

A growl echoed in his chest and his arms wrapped around her waist before she could continue up the stairs, pulling her back and pushing her against a wall. His hands went up to her hair, tangling in it and tilting her head back, forcing her to look into his eyes.

Draco pressed their foreheads together and Hermione saw a silver glint in his gaze. His eyes lowered to her lips and then glanced back up at her, asking for permission.

She nodded, wrapping her arms around his neck. He bowed his head and they both closed their eyes as they felt their breaths mingle.

A voice startled them both just as their lips were about to brush.

"Hermione! How was the...? Oh, no."

Draco jumped away from her, gritting his teeth.

"Fuck," he hissed, shooting a hateful glare at Potter's door.

Ginny stood in the doorway, covering her mouth with her hands.

"I'm sorry, I thought Hermione was alone," she murmured, glancing back and forth between them.

He narrowed his eyes and, after taking one last look at Hermione, lifted one of her hands and kissed her knuckles.

"See you tomorrow, Granger."

She nodded and Draco disappeared into his room, closing the door. Hermione sighed, staring at her friend with a frown.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt," Ginny insisted, taking a few steps towards her.

"He was about to kiss me," Hermione hissed, glancing sideways at the door to Draco's room.

Ginny smiled, jumping up and down.

"So it went well?"

"It was quite intense, though I enjoyed it very much," she confessed in a whisper.

Ginny hugged her, a big smile on her face.

"That's great!"

She smiled, too.

"You'll tell me all about it tomorrow, won't you?"

"Only if you promise not to interrupt us again," Hermione demanded, raising an eyebrow.

"I swear it," Ginny replied, placing a hand over her heart.

Hermione chuckled, averting her gaze to the door of Harry's room. He was leaning on the doorframe and smiling as she watched them silently.

"See you guys tomorrow," she murmured, starting up the stairs.

Ginny wished her goodnight and went back into Harry's room.

Hermione sighed as she entered her own, plopping down on her back on the bed. It had been amazing, and that moment when Draco had lost a little control and said those things to her she had felt like her skin was burning under his gaze.

She shuddered at the thought of what it would feel like when he kissed her and closed her eyes, letting out a shaky breath.

How many more dates would it take before he stopped holding back?

Draco opened his eyes as he heard two knocks on his door.

"Come in."

Seeing Hermione enter, he sat up on the bed and frowned.

"Did something happen, Granger? Are you alright?"

She nodded, crossing her arms over her chest and taking slow steps towards him.

"It's nothing, it's just that I... I'm afraid it's going to happen again."

His eyes widened as he understood.

"I'm not going into a coma again. I feel great today, better than I have in a long time."

Hermione looked around his room, nibbling on her lower lip.

"But... What if you feel like this because you've spent so much time with me? What if being away makes you lose your strength again?"

Draco sighed, smiling at how worried she was. He moved away until he was lying on the right side of the mattress and tapped it gently with his hand.

"You can stay here if you want."

She took two more steps, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"You don't mind? I'd sleep easier if I know you're all right."

He snorted, cocking his head to the side.

"Of course I don't mind, Granger."

She smiled and laid down next to him, pulling the blanket over herself. After a nervous glance, she moved closer and rested her head on his shoulder. Draco wrapped his arms around her, closing his eyes to enjoy her sweet smell.

"It had been months since I slept as well as I did yesterday."

His lips curved upward at her whisper.

"Me too, Granger."

"Sleep well, Draco."

He brushed his lips over her forehead, not quite kissing her, and closed his eyes again.

"Good night."